1999 SOHC Explorer coolant leak (metal junction)

[Zack1978]

HI everyone,
I am working on my 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. This metal junction is on the pass side of the engine, directly behind the auto transmission dipstick
I looked on Rockauto and I can't find that metal junction part, so I assume that it is a dealer only part. I don't know how to attach a picture here, so I hope my description is good. 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? Any idea on the cost of that part from the dealer?


Thanks,
Zack

 

[yavapaires]

That sounds like someone has removed the heater control valve, and just spliced the hoses together. If that is the case, you can get a splice from your nearest auto parts store. Not having a picture, that is my best guess. Hope this helps.

 

[Zack1978]

That sounds like someone has removed the heater control valve, and just spliced the hoses together. If that is the case, you can get a splice from your nearest auto parts store. Not having a picture, that is my best guess. Hope this helps.

Nothing has been removed.....the truck is totally 100% stock. Perhaps they are not heater hoses, but they are holding coolant. This metal junction is an original Ford part, without question. Agai. This part is directly behind the trans dipstick on the SOHC engine.....


How can I post a picture here?


Thanks,
Zack

 

[my98nnj]

It's the heater core flow control valve.

 

[Zack1978]

It's the heater core flow control valve.

Well I looked on Rockauto at the heater control valve, and it does not look like the bad part.


Is there a way to post pictures on this site?


Thanks,
Zack

 

[2000StreetRod]

coolant tubing assembly

I suspect you're referring to the coolant tubing assembly shown in the photo below aft of the alternator.

As I recall the two pipes are brazed or welded together.

 

[Zack1978]

I suspect you're referring to the coolant tubing assembly shown in the photo below aft of the alternator.
View attachment 67100
As I recall the two pipes are brazed or welded together.

Yes, that is the leaking and rotted metal pipe....... Is that a dealer only part? Is it expensive? Is it hard to change?


Thanks,
Zack

PS: How did you post a picture?

 

[joe doe]

that would be a dealer part i am thinking .

 

[pitbulldell]

Yes, that is the leaking and rotted metal pipe....... Is that a dealer only part? Is it expensive? Is it hard to change?


Thanks,
Zack

PS: How did you post a picture?

http://photobucket.com/

create an account on photobucket, load the pic on there and then copy and paste the url of the pic here.

 

[Zack1978]

Well I went to the Ford dealer today to order the metal coolant tube, and the part is NLA from Ford. The dealer said since my truck is over ten years, old the parts are being phased out by Ford rather quickly.

So now what do I do? Can I eliminate the metal tubes?


Thanks,
Zack

 

[Zack1978]

Well I went to the Ford dealer today to order the metal coolant tube, and the part is NLA from Ford. The dealer said since my truck is over ten years, old the parts are being phased out by Ford rather quickly.

So now what do I do? Can I eliminate the metal tubes?


Thanks,
Zack

Any ideas? I would like to fix this issue soon before it gets worse.

Zack

 

[Torqueranger]

Well try building a replacement tube out of some conduit tubing or find a place that aul tubing and go from there..

 

[1996BLKBauer]

You might find some luck at your local Junk Yard. Why you are there take a a look under the hood of some of the Explorers and see if any have this junction.

 

[Zack1978]

You might find some luck at your local Junk Yard. Why you are there take a a look under the hood of some of the Explorers and see if any have this junction.

But is the tube even needed? It looks as if it does not really serve a purpose.....


Zack

 

[yavapaires]

But is the tube even needed? It looks as if it does not really serve a purpose.....


Zack

Is there a valve in the "junction"? Is it just a plain old piece of tubing? Any thing can be replaced if you are a little imaginative. A little ingenuity can go a long way. Plenty of parts available at the hardware store.

 

[1996BLKBauer]

But is the tube even needed? It looks as if it does not really serve a purpose.....


Zack

Well if it does or does not is still up in the air I suppose, but if none of the other Explorers in any junk yards do, or do not have it may lead you to your answer.