07EddyB
Explorer Addict
- Joined
- November 18, 2011
- Messages
- 1,073
- Reaction score
- 301
- City, State
- Bowling Green, KY
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 2007 Ford Explorer 4.6 V8
Like many here, my heater hose Y started leaking. It probably had something to do with me moving it around so much during the manifold replacement. I replaced it with a Factory Air fitting I got at Advance - part number 84757.
As far as the replacement goes, I left the Ex on the ground - didn't even take the wheel off. I did take the small splash shield off and tied a string to a hole in the bottom at the back and tied it off to my strut. That gave me room underneath to remove the hose. Back up top and removed the other two connections and just pulled the whole thing out. Seemed much easier than trying to cut and replace in place.
I did drain the radiator - since I just replaced it a few months ago I captured and reused the antifreeze. It was very clear - looked brand new so I must have done a decent job flushing the system during the replacement. All in all I ended up loosing very little antifreeze - I'd be surprised if it filled a 16 ounce cup.
Over the last few years it didn't really seem like the Ex had a very good heater. Sometimes when you started it you could hear some gurgling behind the dash. I understand now that I had a leaking radiator which was drawing my coolant level down and air was in the lines. After the new radiator, fresh coolant, and now the new Y fitting the heat seems better. Well, during the summer anyway. I think it will be better this winter also. I actually have a cooling system that holds pressure
As far as the replacement goes, I left the Ex on the ground - didn't even take the wheel off. I did take the small splash shield off and tied a string to a hole in the bottom at the back and tied it off to my strut. That gave me room underneath to remove the hose. Back up top and removed the other two connections and just pulled the whole thing out. Seemed much easier than trying to cut and replace in place.
I did drain the radiator - since I just replaced it a few months ago I captured and reused the antifreeze. It was very clear - looked brand new so I must have done a decent job flushing the system during the replacement. All in all I ended up loosing very little antifreeze - I'd be surprised if it filled a 16 ounce cup.
Over the last few years it didn't really seem like the Ex had a very good heater. Sometimes when you started it you could hear some gurgling behind the dash. I understand now that I had a leaking radiator which was drawing my coolant level down and air was in the lines. After the new radiator, fresh coolant, and now the new Y fitting the heat seems better. Well, during the summer anyway. I think it will be better this winter also. I actually have a cooling system that holds pressure
