Freelander 1.8 thermostat housing and coolant rail

Hi everyone
I've changed the thermostat housing and coolant rail today as well as the inlet manifold gasket.
I've got water gushing out of the joint between the thermostat housing and coolant rail.
I've the thermostat home into the rail then found the bolts don't line up so pulled it about it.
Looking at the old rail there is either a very worn o ring or silicone inside it.
Does the o ring on the thermostat housing seal the 2 parts or am I missing another o ring?
Thanks again in advance
Kevin

Ps this might be a repeat message as I don't think the first open up loaded properly

The rubber gasket around the thermostat is your seal

Sorry I should have said both the thermostat housing and coolant rail are new.
It feels like the thermostat housing wants to be further inside the coolant rail but then the bolts won't line up.

Tiahaar said:

Sorry I should have said both the thermostat housing and coolant rail are new.
It feels like the thermostat housing wants to be further inside the coolant rail but then the bolts won't line up.

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Have you got the correct coolant rail or thermostat housing? There are a couple of part numbers for the latter, although the rails look to be all the same PN.

I'e had another look at the old rail and it's defanity had silicone or sealant put on it at some point in the cars life.
Look front the front of the car, the rail has moves towards the passenger side, so somethings not lining up.
The rail has 2 lugs for the bolts. I'l try both lugs separately to see if the rail moves over.
Thanks

There should be an 'O' ring which goes around the neck of the plastic thermostat housing and then you 'slide that plastic assembly into the metal coolant pipe. Yes, there thermostat itself has a rubber ring around its circumference but you must have that 'O' ring too.

Part number CDU3858L - there's two of them needed. One where it pushes into the coolant pump end and the second for the coolant return pipe end.

I've got the o rings as they came with the new thermostat housing.
It's almost like the exit on the thermostat housing is 10mm too short.

I'm going to push the thermostat housing all the way into the pipe then try and fit the securing bolts.

Have you put the thermostat in wrong way?

Being daft I was it would only fit one way.... now you're said that I can see what you mean.
I need the rain to stop before I can work on the car again

Have you considered upgrading to prt thermostat whilst doing this, better for engine !

Tiahaar said:

Being daft I was it would only fit one way.... now you're said that I can see what you mean.
I need the rain to stop before I can work on the car again

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It's easy to check that you have the stat housing the correct way round. There's a small T off on the rail side of the stat housing. If the T is on the pump side of the housing, you have the stat on wrong.