External Thermostat Leak

[monkeyodeath]

Hi all,

The external thermostat on my 3.2 is leaking and I'd like to fix it if possible.

What's the best way to approach this? Would like to avoid destroying anything. Seems like it's leaking from the oil fittings themselves but not 100% sure. Pic attached of the leak.

[wazzz]

Maybe you should start with a good cleaning of the area. A can of brake cleaner would help here. Then you can see where the leak comes from and start from there. If the oil line is bad, you can change the line and leave the thermostat in place.

[gled49]

I think the dirt helps, the oil leak washes the dirt away. Looks like the nut in front is leaking, you’d be lucky if it was just loose.

[Tea Tray]

I agree with Gled49.
The clean areas are good indicators of where the majority of the leak is.
Pressure wash, brake cleaner etc to clean the whole area then monitor for leaks.

[Walt Fricke]

Tightening the large nut is sure worth a try. The usual issue with these fittings on the thermostat is that the nut is frozen to the aluminum threads. If it is a bit loose, and leaking, perhaps the threads will be lubed too. Obvious place to start. Can't say I have seen or heard of this nut backing off, but why not try a wrench on it.

That nice drop of oil under the nut sure points to that location. And ultimately, cleaning everything and then seeing what happens is the normal way to chase leaks.

What to make of the brass colored ring where the line meets the nut? The line has a ball end, which fits a concave socket on the thermostat. The brass showing is not a consistent ring in the photo, but more of a semi-circle. Indication the nut is loose somehow? Could there be a crack in the line at the joint (never heard of that here or elsewhere).

The most common leak in the cooler line is from where the rubber hose part from the oil pump connects to the metal line. I assume that the grime doesn't extend rearward all the way to that point.

[roadster49]

My 911SC is displaying a similar situation. I have the engine ready to go back in. I noticed the leak, changed the line, tightened as tight as I felt prudent and still I have seepage.