My original thermostat stuck in the open position. I went to O'Reilly Auto Parts as they were the only ones who had the thermostat and seals. Once I removed the old thermostat I noticed that I may have been given the wrong inner seal. On the old installation, the inner seal is a shouldered seal. The one I was given is a non shouldered seal that fits slightly loose in the lift bracket and abuts against the thermostat. Is this a new type seal or was I given the wrong seal and really need the shouldered seal? Also, the original shouldered seal was installed with the shoulder towards the lift bracket. The Haynes Manual shows that it should be installed with the shoulder towards the themostat. What is the proper installation of this seal? I will look for a shouldered seal tomorrow.

My water pump is original and has 171,000 miles on it. I do not have a problem with it but wonder if I should replaced it now as a preventive measure and since access is better with the themostat housing off. What is the expected life of a water pump?

Thanks in advance for any advise and opinions.

 

The replacement seal that looks like a short piece of hose, may or may not have a shoulder. It may be loose in the lift bracket, as it compresses when you install the thermostat and the outer seal, and bolt the housing back together.

Water pumps on these will last for years, so unless you see stains or drips from the weep hole on the pump housing, I would not change it.

 

Thanks RCW,

The new seal is just as you say. A short piece of hose that fits inside the lift bracket. The shouldered seal looks like a tight and better fit. I will put it back together and see what happens.

For those that will do this job in the future. I tried to loosen the nuts on the back of the Alternator bracket to take it off. I had a hard time trying to loosen them. After some time, and they not moving, I took a closer look and saw that the nuts were tack welded. Not easy to see with the dirt and grime that collects there. When I tried the bolts, they moved fairly easy.

Anyway, thanks again RCW