Need help identifying coolant leaking tube.

[rigol2000]

I have a tube in a very hidden location on the driver's side rear of engine that is leaking coolant. It is metal and rusted. It has a sensor plugged into it. A mechanic told me it goes to the heater. He said there is no replacement for it any longer.

I would like to verify this. Does anyone recognize this part in the pictures? It is very difficult to take it's picture because it is hidden. I have labeled the pics.

Thanks,
Chris






** In This picture, the tube is that black thing you can barely see.

 

[SASHO91]

yep thats for the heater core....

is your heater core still working? im guessing so, since its still connected....

if its not, you can just bypass it alltogether....

the sensor in the hard line is the ECT sensor for the EATC....

 

[SonicRiot]

It goes to the heater core. Mine was leaking right at the metal crimp. I replaced the line with a standard rubber coolant hose available at any auto parts store by the length. 1/2" I believe.

I cut off the crimp and replaced the bad rubber hose with a cut to length hose and two screw-type band clamps. This repair was suggested by a Ford tech who also said the lines are no longer available. No leaks yet (in that spot!).

If the temp sensor is leaking, replace the sensor (internal leak) or RTV yourself a new gasket (external leak).

If the metal line is leaking... well I don't know. I can't say I've seen one leak yet.


Note of caution: SLICE the ends of the rubber hoses and then twist them off. Yanking on them can result in busted knuckles and cracked couplings, thus creating leaking hands AND coolant. Trust me, you do not want to destroy the couplings to the heater core. It's an 8 hour be-yotch to replace.

And coolant in the bloodstream, well, that just really friggen hurts!

 

[rigol2000]

The heater is still working. I've thought about by-passing it but I'd like for it to keep working. I'm not sure if anyone around here could fabricate one. I guess I'll have to either go to a junk yard ormaybe RCM can get one off a parted vehicle.

Thanks for the info.

Keepin' coolant out of the bloodstream,
Chris

 

[shonufftaurus]

It goes to the heater core. Mine was leaking right at the metal crimp. I replaced the line with a standard rubber coolant hose available at any auto parts store by the length. 1/2" I believe.

I cut off the crimp and replaced the bad rubber hose with a cut to length hose and two screw-type band clamps. This repair was suggested by a Ford tech who also said the lines are no longer available. No leaks yet (in that spot!).

This is what I did recently. I removed the EGR valve and maybe some other things to get access. Not too bad of a job and it seems to be holding.

Edit: If it's leaking on the metal part you might be able to remove it and take it to a welding / radiator shop. It might be too thin to weld but maybe it could be brazed, soldered or something.

 

[Black '93]

Just replace it with some standard(or hi-temp insulated)rubber coolant hose. Their is nothing wrong with doing this. I also did this over 6 months ago and it hasn't leaked yet. Just make sure you slip the hose as far over the fitting as you can, and if you have to use some hose that is molded with a bend in it, that's okay too. I had use a bent piece to do this because the metal piece that broke on mine curved around before it went into the firewall and the hose wouldn't fit without kinking. Tighten the hose clamps really good too.

 

[SonicRiot]

Double the clamps back-to-back on each connector for a better seal.

 

[SHOZ123]

You can use soft copper tubing with a female NPT fitting tee soldered in to replace the metal line. This way you can keep the Cold Engine Lock Out switch functioning.

But if you don't have cold winters that switch is kind of useless.