Ford 1999 Ford Explorer coolant leak....

[Zack1978]

HI everyone,
I am in the (SLOW) process of attempting to rehab my uncle's 99 4x4 Explorer V6 SOHC with 141,000 miles. For the past few days I have been smelling coolant, and I had a chance to look at it today. It seems that a metal tube/pipe that is a junction between what I think are the heater hoses has started to rot, so it is slowly leaking some coolant.
I looked on Rockauto and I can't find that metal junction part, so I assume that it is a dealer only part. I have attached a picture of the metal junction pipe. To me it looks as if I can just get two new longer hoses and totally eliminate the junction. Is that sound logic? Or is there a specific reason for that part?


Thanks,
Zack

 

['74 UA FJ]

use a hose...

Rebuilding an explorer? Why?

 

[Zack1978]

use a hose...

Rebuilding an explorer? Why?

LOL....rebuilding is a strong word!!! It is more like this is a practice vehicle to improve my skills in repairing cars/trucks. The design of the Exploder is so obscenely stupid which makes it very difficult to work on, but what better way to learn. It looks like an all day project simply to change the spark plugs on this truck! I am also enrolled in an auto body class at the local tech school, and you need a project vehicle, so this truck is perfect as it has dents and dings everywhere.

Well with respect to the coolant tube, it is NLA from Ford. The dealer said that once a Ford hits 10yrs old, usually they start to phase out parts VERY quickly. I guess new longer heater hoses is the only option.


Thanks,
Zack

 

[Combat Chuck]

Go for longer hoses, those Fords had all kinds of funky fittings that really only join hoses together.
Some of them, like the T-fittings and such, can be replaced with over-the-counter hardware from a hardware store.