KJ Thermostat installation question

MIA_02Liberty · **Posted:** Tue Dec 14, 2010 5:50 am

Good evening everyone,

Well I know this is going to sound a bit crazy and dumb but I need to rectify a couple of things on installing a thermostat. I had a friend of mine help me change out the thermostat on the KJ but unfortunately either he installed it wrong or something because after I warmed up the car and drove it a bit, it began to leak alot of coolant from the thermostat housing. I asked him how he installed the thermostat and he said spring side to the thermostat housing not toward the engine, and he did not install a thermostat gasket stating the thermostat already comes with one.

Needless to say he did more bad then good and now this morning I am going to undo the thermo housing and install the thermostat correctly. I will also go buy a thermostat gasket as well. I purchased my thermostat from Pep Boys Part# 14369. Here are my questions:

- Do I need to purchase and install an additional gasket (Part# 35692)?
- Where does that gasket go? In between the thermostat housing and the thermostat or in between the thermostat and the engine?
- Will installing the thermostat backwards cause me to have not heat on A/C and only blow cold air?
- Will installing the thermostat without that additional gasket cause it to leak coolant?

Sorry to sound dumb on this but I did not take the parts apart and see where everything was. I appreciate all your help on this...

Budke · **Posted:** Tue Dec 14, 2010 8:52 am

Quote:

- Do I need to purchase and install an additional gasket (Part# 35692)?

It should come with the gasket. The therm. I got for my KJ came with the gasket. The gasket might not be on the thermostat but in the box. Check the box for it, if its not in there check the thermostat when you take it out.

Quote:

- Where does that gasket go? In between the thermostat housing and the thermostat or in between the thermostat and the engine?

It goes around the thermostat forming a seal between the therm housing and the block

Quote:

- Will installing the thermostat backwards cause me to have not heat on A/C and only blow cold air?

It won't allow any coolant through causing an overheating

Quote:

- Will installing the thermostat without that additional gasket cause it to leak coolant?

Yes. Get the gasket and also get some gasket maker. I used blue RTV on the block for the thermostat I just changed on my YJ. Some say its too soft and I should have used red RTV or super gray, but its been fine so far and I've put 200 miles on it already. So with the RTV and gasket it shouldn't leak.

But your friend was incorrect, the spring portion goes inside the engine. Just make sure its seated correctly and don't get the gasket wet or it may ruin it. And CLEAN THE BLOCK AND THERMOSTAT HOUSING!!!! Get ALL of the old gasket material off, I suggest a single sided razor blade like this

Once its all off, then go ahead and reinstall the thermostat and gasket and you should be good to go.

Budke · **Posted:** Tue Dec 14, 2010 8:56 am

MIA_02Liberty · **Posted:** Tue Dec 14, 2010 9:02 am

Thanks guys I appreciate all your help. Im going to tackle this now in the morning.

KJ Thermostat installation question

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