Bypass hose replacement

[drewmar74]

Hello -

I have a 2000 Ford Explorer Sport with the 4.0L V6 SOHC. I've gotten a nasty leak on the bypass hose underneath the thermostat. When I saw the leak I thought "Well, this will be a cinch."

It hasn't been thus far.

I have questions regarding this little turd that I'm hoping someone can help me with...

I've gotten this thing down to the point where I have the handy dandy 4.0L SOCH cover off the motor. The air line from the filter / mass air to the throttle body is off as well. So as it sits I see the throttle body / air intake, under it the thermostat, and then the hose.

After much profanity and some badly skinned knuckles, I've just about decided the only way to do this is to take the throttle body / air intake off. Is that the case or am I missing something?

By taking that off, I would at least be able to access the hose from a vertical position (I think)....

Also, is there any trick besides vice grip and sheer determination to deal with those flat hose clamps?

Any help here would earn you my undying admiration.

Regards,

Andrew Martin

 

[swshawaii]

Right angle pliers help with the factory hose clamps. Some have also loosened the fan shroud.
I've read that folding the hose with a tie wrap and some lubricant will make the fit easier.

 

[waskly]

i hate that hose, and only way i change it is by also replacing the plastic thermostat housing. makes it easier.

 

[drewmar74]

Right angle pliers help with the factory hose clamps. Some have also loosened the fan shroud.
I've read that folding the hose with a tie wrap and some lubricant will make the fit easier.

Yeah, the pliers would certainly help. We have some in the tool room at work I can borrow....

i hate that hose, and only way i change it is by also replacing the plastic thermostat housing. makes it easier.

I'm rapidly getting to this point. Feels like the shank on the end of the t'stat housing is so long that there is precious little room to make it all "gee and haw"

 

[NightRock]

I got 2009 model and I have changed the bypass hose my self 2 years ago. Can't imagine it took me alsmost a day to figure out how to changed it by doing trial and error. In the end I removed so many stuff in able to get a good access to the little bypass hose.

Yesterday I send my Ford to service center due to intermitent cooling on passenger side AC. and they said they notice my bypass hose is bulge. Since Im out of the country Im not able to see it personally. But my question is does it really a frequent failure item in Ford Exp? its not an expensive part but I need to repalce it if its not in good condition.