2002 2003 2004 2005 Ford Thunderbird Thermostat Housing Water Pumps

[biddle]

Does anyone have any concerns about leaving a degas bottle cap a little loose?

Obviously, you are not supposed to do this. Ideally, you fix your cooling system and restoring it to operating condition. Ask your mechanic.

This page contains affiliate links for which I may be compensated. As an eBay Partner, and Amazon Associate I may be compensated if you make a purchase at no cost to you.

 

[doug7740]

Good info here, and many thanks to Biddle for posting sources for parts and pictures.

My 03 with 84K sprung a coolant leak behind the water pump. Not sure exactly what part yet. When the system is under pressure it leaks, if I leave the degas bottle cap loose it doesn't leak. In the short term until I investigate what part I need, is it OK to drive with that cap loose? I assume the boiling temperature will go down. I did drive it around town that way, some stops and restarts. Ambient air temp in the 70s. Temp gauge in middle like normal.

Does anyone have any concerns about leaving a degas bottle cap a little loose?

Why would you just leave the degas bottle cap loose instead of repairing the coolant leak properly?

The thermostat housing (3) leaks where it connects to the coolant outlet pipe (15). This is very common, replace the thermostat housing.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

 

[jneuenburg]

Why would you just leave the degas bottle cap loose instead of repairing the coolant leak properly?

The thermostat housing (3) leaks where it connects to the coolant outlet pipe (15). This is very common, replace the thermostat housing.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

View attachment 33412View attachment 33413

Leaving the cap loose was to be temporary until I can find the parts and schedule the car to be down. I just wanted to know if it is harmful.

So the red arrow is supposed to be pointing to the thermostat housing #3, not to #15 joins with #23? Does #3 crack? Sounds like it's not a gasket problem. Does #15 fail and for that matter, the #23 pipe? I'll buy all ahead of time if I can find them, to avoid more downtime waiting for parts.

 

[doug7740]

The red arrow is pointing to the thermostat housing #3 and it leaks where it joins to the coolant outlet pipe #15. Since the thermostat housing is made of plastic it could crack, but most times it distorts and leaks at the O-ring seal. All you need is the thermostat housing assembly, which includes the thermostat, and 2 O-ring seals. I purchased mine from NAPA.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

 

[jneuenburg]

The red arrow is pointing to the thermostat housing #3 and it leaks where it joins to the coolant outlet pipe #15. Since the thermostat housing is made of plastic it could crack, but most times it distorts and leaks at the O-ring seal. All you need is the thermostat housing assembly, which includes the thermostat, and 2 O-ring seals. I purchased mine from NAPA.

doug7740
1955 Thunderbird Blue

I took a close look. My leak shows on #23 at the pipe to mounting flange area. Right now the car is on a slight slope toward the passenger side. When I spray water and then compressed air to dry the area, the coolant is coming from the driver side which I can't see. So the base of #23 is cracked or coolant could be coming downhill from #15 on the driver side, hits the flange and comes around where I can see it.

I am thinking of buying all three parts. I see the #3 and #15 can be bought as an assembly. Assuming only aftermarket is available and this comes with a thermostat, do people have better luck with Ford thermostats if they can find them?

I read there is a big o-ring at the #15/#23 joint. Is that available? I saw a PN online somewhere that says it's PN W707299-5300. I don't know who sells it.

 

[vegasbird]

Hi all. First time posting. Inherited my Dad's 04, which he bought new. 89k, spent first 19 years in Vegas. Desert climate is great for everything but paint and rubber/plastic. Now in Pa for the last 2. Did plugs/coils, serp belt, fresh fluids. Ran fantastic all last year. This spring, noticing temp gauge creeping north. Last time out got pretty hot, just below full H. When I shut it down, lost maybe a pint of coolant on the floor from what seemed the rear of the motor. Tried to get it to do it again, no luck. Is there an overflow from the plastic tank? Can't really see anything from underneath. Planning on doing therm housing and dccv. Am I missing something?