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DennisL, I have to agree with the others that it is looking like it is coming from the thermostat. Granted, if you see where the thermostat T attaches to the block, you might have a leak from there too as there is an o-ring in that joint too. It is not going to be that much more work to replace both of those gaskets than to risk replacing only the one on the thermostat housing and have the leak continue.
thank you for the replies guys. So it appears the consensus agrees it's the thermostat. You all helped me successfully diagnose, troubleshoot, and replace an O2 sensor last time. Thank you for that as well. Just need to find a good DIY video or instruction somewhere for this repair so I don't screw anything up! :-) I'm assuming I would access it by removing the battery as opposed to underneath?
Should you decide to replace the gasket on the T-housing connecting the thermostat to the engine block. Not necessary to replace this, but if you are that far into it, wouldn't be a bad thing to change to garantee you don't have a leak somewhere else.
thanks for the replies guys. Sorry I haven't responded til now.. had a baby and things have been hectic. I've ordered the thermostat after studying the underside of my car for a little while. I can definitely see coolant leaking from there both from above and below. I went ahead and ordered the part. I do have two questions though: 1. what's the easiest way to drain the coolant and 2. from below it looks like a very easy swap out. It appears I'll have to reach around the O2 sensor but there's only 3 bolts I'll have to remove it. There's gotta be a catch. Do I just unscrew these, remove and swap w/ new thermostat and gasket or will there be additional things I'll have to remove. Thanks
Dennis, if you look on the passenger side (your right side if you are under the car looking at the thermostat), you will see a cutout there. If you look inside there, you will see the bottom corner of the radiator. If you look closer, you will see a phillips head there on a plastic piece. Insert a large phillips screw driver into that and back it out a few turns. The coolant will start to flow. Just have a few catch tubs ready as I have found that the coolant likes to land on the plastic under-shield and run who knows where. You can somewhat help control things by simply jacking up the rear drivers side to make the passenger front the low point. Just make sure to remove the cap off the overflow bottle or it will take forever for the fluid to drain out.
As for pulling the thermostat, you pretty much have it. The "hard part" is simply removing the radiator hose on the bottom and getting it out of the way. But, that isn't all that difficult. Probably a good idea to replace that if you have lots of miles on the car. You will be one clamp away.
On a side note, you may want to put a cap over the open end of the lower coolant hose. But, when you are removing the bolts from the thermostat, for some reason, they like to jump into that opening and they are a PITA to get out at that point. Not that I know first hand, LMAO.
I'm not 100% sue on this motor but on many the thermostat will fit ether direction. But it will only work one way. Pay close attention when you remove the old one as to how it is facing and make sure the new one goes in the same way.
X- type leaking coolant
