Should I replace or repair this coolant hose?

[bmacfarlane]

My 02 4.0L V6 Explorer XLT overheated yesterday. I pulled off the road and popped the hood. After the steam dissipated, I could see a hose that appears to have popped off of a plastic tee. Actually it came out from the inside of this tee. It looks like the rubber hose slip fits inside the plastic tee, so there's no place for a clamp of any type. The question is - can I just slip it back in and it will be OK, or was the hose somehow fused or glued into the plastic tee? It seems like a slip fit would not survive the pressure that the cooling system generates. The hose in question is the smaller one that comes off the upper thermostat flange and routes around the passenger side of the cylinder head. About halfway along the side of the engine is where the tee is located. I have posted pictures below. It's the smaller hose to the left of the sensor as it comes out of the flange. The other picture shows the tee, but it is partially obscured by another hose. The view is rotated (tilt your head 90 degrees right for perspective)
Anyone know if this is something I have to go to the dealer for?
Thanks in advance!

 

[bmacfarlane]

Update: The lower picture has been rotated, so the perspective is correct. No need to tilt your head

 

[HiImBrian]

That tee doesn't look at all familiar to me so I'm sure my 4.6 doesn't have it. I would recommend trying a few junkyards first just to get you by. However I always try to replace old rubber with new. It can be difficult to know just how degraded old rubber can be. Try your local parts stores, then the dealership as a last resort. Definitely important to be glued together though.

 

[bmacfarlane]

It's a 4.0L V6. Dealer says the tee is specific to models that have the rear heat exchanger for rear heating/cooling. $46 for a whole new assembly with the hoses fused. The rubber on the old hoses was fine - nice clean edge, etc. But the plastic tee was beat inside. Definitely not something I'd waste time replacing with a junkyard part.

A $4 generic heater hose tee (hoses are 3/4" I.D.) and 3 clamps and it's good as new.

 

[HiImBrian]

It's a 4.0L V6. Dealer says the tee is specific to models that have the rear heat exchanger for rear heating/cooling. $46 for a whole new assembly with the hoses fused. The rubber on the old hoses was fine - nice clean edge, etc. But the plastic tee was beat inside. Definitely not something I'd waste time replacing with a junkyard part.

A $4 generic heater hose tee (hoses are 3/4" I.D.) and 3 clamps and it's good as new.

Well there ya go!

 

[rentalguy]

It's a 4.0L V6. Dealer says the tee is specific to models that have the rear heat exchanger for rear heating/cooling. $46 for a whole new assembly with the hoses fused. The rubber on the old hoses was fine - nice clean edge, etc. But the plastic tee was beat inside. Definitely not something I'd waste time replacing with a junkyard part.

A $4 generic heater hose tee (hoses are 3/4" I.D.) and 3 clamps and it's good as new.

Thanks for posting this. My T has just split awwell. Do you have a part number from Ford as I tried looking online but had no luck. Ford tells me that they can only sell me the complete hoses for $207 plus tax.

Thanks,
David

 

[exploderowner73]

Help!

it's a 4.0l v6. Dealer says the tee is specific to models that have the rear heat exchanger for rear heating/cooling. $46 for a whole new assembly with the hoses fused. The rubber on the old hoses was fine - nice clean edge, etc. But the plastic tee was beat inside. Definitely not something i'd waste time replacing with a junkyard part.

A $4 generic heater hose tee (hoses are 3/4" i.d.) and 3 clamps and it's good as new.

where did you get the generic tee and how big was it? Will it be long enough for the hoses to fit onto the new generic tee?

 

[lincolnshibuya]

place to find radiator hose tees,
http://jagsthatrun.com/Pages/Parts_TPI-TBI_Brass-Tees.html

 

[exploderowner73]

Help

nothing at this site. i need 3/4 x 3/4 x 3/4 and long enough at each end to accomodate the stock hoses that are there without having to buy extra hose to extend them so they'll fit.

 

[Zer0214]

Just had this happen

Hello I Just had this happen with my 2002 ford explorer the same hose popped off the tee connection. Is the solution to this Just replacing the tee or is there something else that would cause that much pressure in hose to pop it off. Any help would be greatly appreciated thank you.

 

[PowerJunkie]

SHOCKER! I have the same problem AND I had to walk to work today. I caught a YouTube video of what to do. Need channel locks to break the T apart and rip it out of the hose. Next get yourself a 3/4" T and 3 hose clamps. The rest should be self explanatory. I don’t know yet what I’m going to have to do to actually get my hands in there, looks like I need to take the plastic crap above it off / away.
I’ll post later my success / failure. But yeah, that T is a joke! Ford makes this crap so you have to go to the dealer and spend big money on simple fixes. So stupid. Can you tell I’m mad? Oh yeah, I WALKED TO WORK TODAY because of this. OooooF!

 

[PowerJunkie]

Did it and done. Piece of cake. bmacfarlane's 2nd pic is spot on what you are looking for. Loosen the 2 hose clamps on each side of the plastic intake chingas directly above this *******, remove and set aside. Take some channel locks and crush that old T and remove making sure little bits are not left behind on the inside. Replace with 3/4" heater hose T from wherever and 3 hose clamps. It's super easy!!!
Tools needed.... Flat head screw driver and channel locks (or big pliers) and that's it. BAM

Edit: forgot to say, cost me a total of $4.52, the T and the clamps. If you go to a shop or the dealer they will charge for the whole hose assembly and 2 hours of labor, well over $200 for this joke. I hope anyone who has this problem finds this thread and benefits from it.

 

[Dfszme73]

Thank you Thank you!!

Love these forums!
My tea has been leaking for awhile by the looks of everything around it. I thought my leak was around my temp sensor in the thermostat housing. There was a little fluid around it and I thought that was my leak. Just yesterday the leak got worse and I could actually see it. But part houses and even the dealership was confused (over the phone). I don't have the $200 in hand with having to register my son for little league and wasn't looking forward to tell him I can't afford to becaus I have to get to work. On my way to NAPA now for the tea and hose clamps. Will update...

 

[Derek McDonald Artworks]

A little late but I had the same problem. I'm always amazed that there is always great advice on the internet for ANY car problem. PowerJunkie is spot on with his explanation and details. I will reiterate that you must break up the plastic hose liner that is in all 3 hoses and make sure you get all the pieces out.

 

[B2design]

A little late but I had the same problem. I'm always amazed that there is always great advice on the internet for ANY car problem. PowerJunkie is spot on with his explanation and details. I will reiterate that you must break up the plastic hose liner that is in all 3 hoses and make sure you get all the pieces out.

Yep. Worked for me, too. Thanks, guys!