Does everyone use the paper/felt gasket that comes with the thermostat? I installed one a few days ago and the damn thing hasn't stopped leaking since. I tightened it up 2 times and still leaked. Now I am going with the regular RTV type stuff. I figured I'd use the gasket since it came with, but that turned out shitty

 

Out of the 4yrs I've owned my FC, I replaced my Thermostat 4 times. Evertime, I used blue gasket maker and I never sprouted a leak.

Be careful on tighting those 2 bolts. If It snaps (It doesn't take much), you've gone from bad to worse.

 

Oh yes, just what I was afraid I might do I soaked the bolts in some engine degreaser to get rid of the deposits in the thread so it wouldn't get hard to turn and *snap* Had that happen wayyy too many times.

Well anyway, I used the blue stuff and am letting it sit till the morning. Hope it works out good.

 

14-17 ft-lbs with a torque wrench this time!

I have used both the paper gasket and blue RTV with no problems.

 

I just use black RTV no gasket no thermo Its true but i didnt like the needle going near 2/3's in this 90+ summer weather and i have no complaints.

 

I hope you realize that running the engine without a thermostat can destroy your engine.

 

Why does the FC themo fail so often?? [silverrotor]Out of the 4yrs I've owned my FC, I replaced my Thermostat 4 times.[/QUOTE]

 

[/QUOTE]

Its common maintenance on any vehicle, not just RX-7's.

RX-7's are just much more sensitive to a porperly maintained cooling system.

I always use just a gasket, and torque to spec. No leaks.

BTW... you need to run some kind of restriction in your cooling system. Just removing the thermostat is very bad.

 

You need some kind of restriction, otherwise the coolant will flow too fast and lead to hot spots. Put the thermostat back, but gut it or drill some holes in it.

 

I only do it during the summer time i.e. when it gets to 75 degree days it goes back in. But ive been doing this for 2 years and have yet to see signs of problems.

 

The ones that fail often are the crappy Stant or Scant or whatever the f*ck it's called. Buy genuine Mazda thermostat, always. I've never had one fail on me yet (3 years). As for the paper gasket, it's just to fill the gap where the RTV fails. The trick to it, as all RTV ,is let it cure about a couple minutes so it doesn't squeeze out and tighten down evenly. Always...always use anti-seize on all corrosion prone bolts.

 

This experience comes with 4 years of apprenticeship. I'd hate to be In that position.