Thermostat 2005 anniversary edition

[Smedley]

The old bird needed a new thermostat after she overheated also had to replace plastic flange it was mounted on which had collapsed. Just wondering if that’s a common issue folks have had ?
hopefully back on the roads of Michigan tomorrow
cheers
Smedley

[Smedley]

Just read post from Indiana Micke p6. Seems like a common concern.

[11TH GEN]

You have a very interesting Bio with Ford in your profile. I will be in Detroit all next week as well as checking on the farm in Bowling Green, OH. I like going home now and then, just couldn't handle harsh weather year round. Welcome to the forum.

[BillyL]

All to common! When you said "replace plastic flange" I hope you meant the plastic thermostat housing. These have a history of cracking and leaking without the car overheating.

[Smedley]

Yep, Plastic Housing (1st pic) . Then the thermostat had kind of imploded (pic 2) They got it all done, flushed, filled, burped?, then the bloody top hose split (3rd pic). Getting new top and bottom hoses to be sure. The things we do for love! just dont tell the wife. I was going to get Ceramic brake pads this month, I can put that off.

Its going to cost me an arm, a leg, and a pretty penny, but what else is retirement money for!.

Wondering if antifreeze is super corrosive, and if I should have the engine bay steam cleaned or something, I guess the shop will know.

Fun Fact: The Wixom (michigan) site, where the t-bird was built, is now home to Duluth Trading Co, if you are in need of some manly underwear.

[miketx]

Very common problem. Our plastic housing developed a crack that I didn't notice until we got back from the TBN South Dakota event a few years ago. We drove 18 hours straight back from that event, and I'm thankful the housing didn't explode during the drive.

[HKS]

Very common problem. Our plastic housing developed a crack that I didn't notice until we got back from the TBN South Dakota event a few years ago. We drove 18 hours straight back from that event, and I'm thankful the housing didn't explode during the drive.

Is this more common in the 2003-2005 engines?
HKS

[TBird1stLuv]

Just had mine done! Seems common when it comes to overheating and tracking down a coolant leak. Good Luck, hope your bird is back on the road soon!

[2K2BIRD]

[QUOTE=HKS;n1064477]

Is this more common in the 2003-2005 engines?
HKS[/QUOTE}

Anecdotally, I'd say yes it is more common on the 03-05 models. I don't know it for sure, but based on recollection of those posting the problem it seems more common after the 02s. On the other had it seems the fuel pump problem may be more common in the 02s than the others.

[Smedley]

Back on the road with my bird !
Hopefully that’s it for the cooling system for a while
good to know “you’ll never walk alone” in this group
YNWA

[428PI]

I get she was a little low on coolant at some point and the water gets super heated and causes the plastic to burn. We see this in radiators at the top hose sometimes.

[HKS]

[QUOTE=2K2BIRD;n1064545]

Is this more common in the 2003-2005 engines?
HKS[/QUOTE}

Anecdotally, I'd say yes it is more common on the 03-05 models. I don't know it for sure, but based on recollection of those posting the problem it seems more common after the 02s. On the other had it seems the fuel pump problem may be more common in the 02s than the others.

Thanks Paul,
Maybe my theory of bad plastic is true. The ignition coils also fail more often in the 03-05.
Maybe Ford got cheap and allowed the manufacturer to us re-grind (recycled scrap from failed molding procedures) plastic in the thermostat housing as well.

Anyway I have a spare fuel pump and thermostat housing standing by, also also 4 COPs and plugs.
Hermann