Just replaced the upper radiator hose on my 2002 xtype awd 2.5l ...It comes all as one piece with the thermostat housing...It went in fine but the plate with the two studs where the thermostat housing is, seems to be leaking...My question is do you have to use any rtv to seal it or did i do something wrong with the metal plate that goes in there..Or any installation help would be great...

 

vajag, I replaced my thermostat and it was a simple slip connection with a clamp to keep things together. No RTV was needed. I would say to try pulling the area where it is leaking apart, giving the parts a good wipedown to make sure you don't have something stuck there causing the leakage, then putting it all back together. The only other thing that I would tell you to do is to give the hose a fair flexing and see if you can spot any cuts in the rubber. Not saying the hose is bad, but it could be something that simple.