Replaced stat, first time broke bolts, fixed that then drip and running out still. Started over broke bolts again. Now its a nightmare and worse then before I started. Any suggestions? F150 2008 4.2

 

It's always a good practice spraying the bolts with penetrating oil . . . the day before ya start working on it. Clean the gasket mating surfaces and use a new gasket. If yer breaking the bolts putting them on, don't do it like yer Godzilla.

 

I don't know what you're doing, how you're doing it, nor how you manage to keep breaking screws. That is something that needs to be addressed.

Get those broken screws out. Clean out the threads. I would suggest using a tap to chase the threads. Maybe a repair kit if needed. Start all over again with some new screws.









You will need to clean the mating surfaces well. And use a new gasket. You will need a few tools for cleaning. The OEM gasket is paper. FelPro has a gasket which may, or may not, be better. Some people use a gasket sealant on paper gaskets. Other people say that it is not needed. Other people use RTV silicone.

 

I don't really understand what that means.

You could always pull the intake manifold off. Then you can get everything right. Replace it if necessary.

 

I do not own a 4.2 but from the pictures and the assembly drawing it appears the thermostat housing bolts penetrate the water jacket. In my experience when a bolt penetrates the water jacket it needs to be sealed by using RTV (or other but not never seize) on the threads otherwise coolant will seep along the threads and cause a leak. In general these leaks will self seal (takes months)) as the corrosion along the threads seals the leak path but this also makes the bolts difficult to turn and they often break during removal attempts.

Make sure you use bolts of the proper length identical to those that were originally installed, and if the original bolts happen to be of different lengths make sure you put them back in the same hole that they came out of.

 

Most likely looking at replacing the lower intake manifold at this point

 

The intake manifold is the other side of the thermostat, correct? This is my bf trying to fix this. It started with a simple stat replacement. He tries to do everything in a hurry. And exactly what I told him was going to happen, happened ! Then it kept running hot so I suggested burping it. Then he realized he put the new stat in sideways. The hole wasn't at the top. So here we go again,replaced thermostat again and broke the bolts again. At this point I'm ready to show him how its done. But he has modified to much and now needs the intake. But I'm having trouble finding the correct part or what its called.

 

That air bleed hole does not matter much
It does help get the air out
Stats of the earlier generation did not have that pisser hole
Have him re group and take his time this time
If he managed to destroy the T stat threads in the intake, maybe have him get help if he needs to replace the intake manifold
The bolts can be replaced with studs (makes the job harder but installing studs can save the intake)
Post a few pictures
We all had to learn somewhere
Don't give up on him yet

 

sounds like time for a new BF, he's a hack....

The little bleed hole doesnt matter & not going to cause it to overheat.
Installing it in BACKWARDS will though.
There may be other issues causing it to overheat & guessing without thoughtful diagnosing isnt the way...

 

Don't sheet can the boyfriend just yet
He's just trying to help, and we all had to learn sometime
Look at post 3 and have him install it just like that
Even if he has to replace the lower intake manifold due to the bolts issue
Buy the gaskets, buy the manifold, make him do it
Oil or grease on the bolts going back together
Best of luck