100K miles...2012 Mazda 5 Grand Touring. Anybody know the torque specs for 4 bolts on black plastic water outlet housing on drivers side (not thermostat housing or water pump - opposite side of engine)? It connects to what I think is an aluminum head at the coolant exit point - right below what looks like a brass freeze plug.

A mazda mechanic recommended 15 to 20 ft lbs, but I just wanted to make sure.

The old housing was in bad shape - the plastic lip was clean melted off and the gasket that fit within the black lip was in bad shape split down the middle throughout the length of gasket. This seems like a design flaw to me. Definitely no fun to remove - took my whole Saturday, and that back right bolt made me cussing mad - felt like I was making love to my engine the way I was laying on top of it, on all fours, face smashed on battery, with my arm curled all the way around the back of the engine to get that damn bolt off.