Going to replace belt and several hoses (radiator upper/lower and heater).

I searched but could not find any explanation on how to remove heater hose connectors (that are used at firewall and other ends of heater hoses) using the removal tool. Tool looks like a U/V shaped fork.

Is the Ford Tool preferred? Model#
Any aftermarket tool work as good/better? Which one?
Perhaps no tool and something else works better?

This is being on my V10 and the heater hose connection at firewall is set way back at firewall and access to this connector is limited and space around connector is cramped.

Thanks

 

If I remember right the end of the hose has what I would describe as a bell shaped cap. That cap has 2 square holes directly across from each other. In those holes are the tabs that the tool needs to compress to release the hose. The tool needs to slide over those tabs and I believe you then push or pull the tool to compress the tabs (they are tapered)and are then able to pull the hose loose of the connections.

 

Just wondering if the tool's blades are thick enough to cover the white plastic that needs to be pushed inwards to release. Tool blades appear to be about 1/16" thick and the holes (where white plastic resides) appear to be 3/8"

Also, those of you that have replaced heater hoses....are the oem hoses with new plastic fittings the preferred method or is there a better alternative?

 

Here's a link to YouTube showing how to release the connectors.

 

Or this one where you don't need any special tool

 

Thanks Skyking......precisely what I was thinking about. The FoMoCo tool, or afterarket copies, are a thin blade/fork about 1/8" thick.

The homemade tool in the first video is about 3/8" thick which will cover the entire slot hole in the coupler fitting, thus compressing the white plastic tabs and allow for hose to be removed.

 

I've used an aftermarket tool and it also was about 1/8" thick. They work, just take a little wiggling to compress the plastic tabs. Might be an issue getting that 3/8" thick tool in place at the firewall because access is always a problem.

 

Yes......on the V10, access is tight as it is way back against firewall, which is set back pretty deep under exterior cowl vents

 

do any of you not use the special hose ends (coupler with white clips) when replacing hoses and just push heater hose over tube and use a hose clamp?

 

You would need to get the hose and clamp on past the lip that stops the plastic tab from coming off. Otherwise there is the possibility of the hose sliding off even though it is clamped on. Not to mention that lip basically is square not rounded edges like most heater pipe ends making it not easy to slide a heater hose over making the possibility of damaging the heater core and having it leak greater. And then there is the access issue, not much room to get your hands in there and do this. Sure you could do it in an emergency but I wouldn't trust it.