Well that was fun... The thermostat failed in the Ford a few nights ago letting it overheat a bit. I checked as soon as I got home and the top hose and radiator were cool to the touch and the coolant level was good... clearly a bad thermostat. So the last few days while going to work and today taking Ryan to the school I drove with the heat on high. Even with that it overheated today so having the parts needed and time to work I popped the hood only to find the engine covered in coolant from the thermostat gasket failing and the top heater hose having failed due to me running the heater for the first time in forever. I take the air cleaner out and unhook everything from the water outlet, remove it and pull out the somehow bent thermostat. I then inspect the blown hose to find out it is a metal pipe with hoses crimp fitted to the ends. In a panic I hop in the truck and (put $20 of gas in so I can get home and in case I need to drive it for a few days then) go to the dealer to inquire about ordering the hose contraption. He tells me it costs over $70 and there is an at least 2 week wait. Then he comes over and quietly says that if I am careful I can cut the crimp fitting off and just hose clamp a new connecting hose on. I come home and spend about an hour with the dremmel (as well as 9 cutting disks) getting the pipe cut. Then I race to Autozone and spend only $8 on a hose and clamps. In total it was a 3 hour job that cost me $50 (including the gas) when I was expecting a $15, one hour job but at least I know the cooling system is ready for winter as I checked every hose under the hood after that fiasco.
Posted on: Thu, 15 Aug 2013 02:11:59 +0000
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