Please read carefully. Not the typical problem here:
My sister just bought this 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. No prior coolant leak. This DOES have the aluminum crossover on the intake. It had symptoms of a bad thermostat, along with heater issues (seems to be the same problem). I replaced the thermostat without issue. The old seal was definitely bad. I carefully replace the two bolts (knowing the common issues). I come back 5 minutes later and coolant is pooling under the car. After several hours of investigating, it is NOT coming from above the thermostat. I absolutely positively did not overtighten the bolts (for this very reason). I am 99% convinced I did not crack the intake, and I am a pessimist.
I later find that the gasket between the aluminum 'housing' (that the thermostat rests inside of, not the piece above that attaches to the hose), and the plastic intake manifold below it is bad. I can see the rubber gasket sticking out into the housing with the thermostat removed. I tried to force it back into place, but no luck. It is not torn, deteriorated, or broken. It just seems to have popped out of place.
What are my options? I'm trying to avoid removing the intake. Thanks in advance!
My sister just bought this 2003 Mercury Grand Marquis. No prior coolant leak. This DOES have the aluminum crossover on the intake. It had symptoms of a bad thermostat, along with heater issues (seems to be the same problem). I replaced the thermostat without issue. The old seal was definitely bad. I carefully replace the two bolts (knowing the common issues). I come back 5 minutes later and coolant is pooling under the car. After several hours of investigating, it is NOT coming from above the thermostat. I absolutely positively did not overtighten the bolts (for this very reason). I am 99% convinced I did not crack the intake, and I am a pessimist.
I later find that the gasket between the aluminum 'housing' (that the thermostat rests inside of, not the piece above that attaches to the hose), and the plastic intake manifold below it is bad. I can see the rubber gasket sticking out into the housing with the thermostat removed. I tried to force it back into place, but no luck. It is not torn, deteriorated, or broken. It just seems to have popped out of place.
What are my options? I'm trying to avoid removing the intake. Thanks in advance!