Replacing Thermostat in 2002 PCM 330

[gatorgates]

Can somebody explain to me the purpose of the little brass grommet on this thermostat housing gasket? Not just an academic question as i planned to use permatex make-a-gasket instead of the supplied gasket and now I wonder if i can do that.

[Sandor27]

It is for grounding any sensors in the thermostat housing. The housing is painted, so the bolts may not make a good ground. I don't recall if mine has sensors in the housing...