big coolant leak?

[96TalonTS-jets8]

I have a 96 Talon tsi and i just put a new motor in. As i was filling it up with coolant, to finally start it up. It started leaking from the thermostat housing ( i think ) Its where the hoses from the radiator go to the main unit that connects to the motor. I checked all the bolts and their all tight. Its leaking right underneath the bottom bolt. Was their a gasket their? Because i cant remember and dont think their was. This was a part that was originally in my car and was'nt leaking, but now is. Could it be cracked and now it just started to leak? If so, what is it called and where can i get one?

 

[DSMfirewall]

There is a gasket that goes there, the thing you pulled off is called a thermostat housing. If you want, just take the housing back off, clean it real well, and apply a bead of silicone to it, but a gasket will work just as well and be less than a dollar, just make sure you clean both surfaces well before installation.

 

[Defiant]

I'd clean off the housing side with brake cleaner, make sure everything is _completely_ dry, put the silicone on the housing, spritz some WD-40 on your finger and wipe it on the _engine_ side, wipe it almost all off with a paper towel, and assemble. That way when you have to take it apart again, it'll come apart, but won't leak between now and then.



Go easy on tightening it down, they will crack.