I had a leak in the original Thermostat Housing and replaced it with a Chinese make (ebay) replacement but then after a year it, you could say exploded because whereas the original one leaked slowly this bugger had a large crack and overheating the engine.

Anyway I have bought two replacements one is a Four Seasons from Rockauto (label says made in China!) and another from Gates - no mention of origin, I just like to know which will last me more than one year?

On the original motocraft is it like $400!. (part no. YU32-8A586-AA), hence my shopping around.

Thanks I hope to do today or tomorrow.

 

I don't know just where those housings are cracking, but there may be a problem with over tightening , or the mounting surfaces are not completely flat in which case a double gasket may help. Where are they cracking?

 

I hope you can see the picture of non genuine part I bought from Ebay Chinese supplier - lasted less than a year. Anyway I installed the one from Gates instead of the Four Seasons, now I have one spare - waiting for it to leak - bust it's banks.
It went to 3/4 hot but has settled at half way mark on temperature gauge this morning.

 

In spite of the poor quality we get from riceland suppliers , it probably was cheaper than an American made part, and we get what we pay for, if we are lucky.
Would suggest if a radiator hose is connected to the neck where it appears to have cracked that you either check for bad motor mounts or when you tromp on the accelerator pedal it may be putting a strain on the hose or neck of thermostat housing.

 

Thanks for the reply, but as can be seen from this second image with the arrows pointing at the leak area, when I reverse flushed a garden hose it was spraying in a fan type display. I check every week so it happed suddenly, I think it was a Thursday hissing noise and overheating and high ideal in neutral.

Definitely not the mounts or hose connection issue. My Ex is in perfect condition save for this issue and a non functioning AC.

I wish someone could shade light on the better aftermarket substitute quality : a Four Seasons make Vs a Gates brand being better. Of course I would have loved the Motorcraft but at 10 times the cost it is illogical. I have seen them from $40 (generic) - $400 (motorcraft) only for my model - probably saw a sitting duck

The ones after 1999 (ie 2002 etc) are about $60 (motorcraft) but not for mine.

I have put the Gates one since I don't know it origin!

 

That's the common leak point, even OE housings.