Thermostat replacement heads up

[ssixs]

I attempted to replace my thermostat today on my 97 caravan 3.8L (simple job, right?) Well, while tightning down the housing bolts I heard a "crack" sound. You guessed it, I cracked the housing. No prob, I'll just run to the auto parts store and get a new one. Wrong answer, not in stock. Had to order one online and waiting for it to arrive. Beware, the gasket that came with the thermostat, a round rubber ring, was not for this vehicle. This incorrect gasket along with the excessive force caused the housing to crack. I'll be much more carefull next time, a little nervous too.

By the way, JB weld does not work very well on aluimum parts!

[LUGNUTS]

By the way, JB weld does not work very on aluimum [/quote]



The cold probasbly didn't your situsation much either. Just to let you know I had the same occurance about two weeks ago. And when my part finally came they sent a vertical housing which was very different than the 60 degree slanted housing that I cracked. I finally eneded up going to the local U-Pull it. Abandoning all hope of computer match up and human error. Which led me finally to this web-site because I still had only a brief puff of heat. Thanks to all these gearheads I finally traced the problem to a clogged heater core. Which I had to flush using my recently aquired super heavy duty trusty turkey baster. Now I could roast a 360 lb bird easily an keep it warm from here to Alaska. Thank you nuts for all the third party help. And likewise "heads Up" for this oppertunity for my first hit.

[ssixs]

Update. I received the replacment housing today. Ordered from www.rockauto.com . Great news, the replacement part is made from cast iron! Can't crack this one!