Coolant Leak 5.7l Hemi

[Redright9]

Hello, I have a '06 300C with the 5.7l Hemi. It has been a great vehicle but has one small issue. At approx. 175k the radiator started to leak so I replaced it with all new hoses as well. Ever since the upper hose at the thermostat housing wont seal. It leaves small drips that I cannot stop. I have replaced the upper hose, t/stat housing and upper hose clamps but still get some drips. My only other thing I have not done is put some RTV on the hose and housing, should I have? What else am I missing.. It went many years and miles but now no matter what I seem to do, it loves to weep from here?


Thanks.

 

[The Critic]

OE parts or aftermarket?

Are you sure you have the correct parts?

 

[Chris142]

What kind of clamp are you using?

 

[Redright9]

Hello, OE thermostat housing, Gates hose from O'Rileys, and these clamps: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07M8BCRKN/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[zzyzzx]

Remove this clamp and replace with OE spring style clamp.

Either that or keep tightening the clamp that you have until the leak stops, or the thermostat housing cracks.

 

[Redright9]

Remove this clamp and replace with OE spring style clamp.

Either that or keep tightening the clamp that you have until the leak stops or to crack the radiator.

LOL! That is what I am afraid of, tightening so much it ends up misshaping the thermostat housing, it is only thin steel. I guess I will order an OE spring clamp... I did mark the nut on the current clamp to see if it was backing off, and it is not, so the next step is a different clamp...

Thanks.

 

[The Critic]

LOL! That is what I am afraid of, tightening so much it ends up misshaping the thermostat housing, it is only thin steel. I guess I will order an OE spring clamp... I did mark the nut on the current clamp to see if it was backing off, and it is not, so the next step is a different clamp...

Thanks.

How tightly did the Gates hose fit?

 

[Redright9]

How tightly did the Gates hose fit?

Fit well to me. Didn't fall right on into place, had to twist and walk it on like "normal"

 

[The Critic]

Fit well to me. Didn't fall right on into place, had to twist and walk it on like "normal"

It should be fairly difficult to walk on. I would try a spring clamp first, but that does not work, try a dealer hose.

 

[samven]

Before you put spring clamps on you might want to try backing the clamp off and putting 4 or 5 wraps of electrical tape around the hose where the clamp goes and then reinstalling it. But not too tight as the clamp can actually pull the rubber hose and cause a wrinkle under the solid part.

 

[el Nuke]

Are you sure it is coming from the hose and not the housing? Those bolts holding the housing to the water pump have a very low torque spec, something like 14 ft/lbs. Overtorquing them will warp the housing and leave it susceptible to leaking.

 

[Redright9]

Are you sure it is coming from the hose and not the housing? Those bolts holding the housing to the water pump have a very low torque spec, something like 14 ft/lbs. Overtorquing them will warp the housing and leave it susceptible to leaking.

I am 95% sure.. I can see it coming from under the hose and collecting on the housing lip. I thought at first it was just that, being overtightened, as it collected near a one of the two bolt heads. But I can see it coming from the hose.

 

[zzyzzx]

Get one of those loaner cooling system pressure testers.