On my '93 I6 there is a hose that "T's" from the heater hose and goes right under the radiator cap into the neck. What is it there for?

I think I have an idea but I would like another opinion.

 

Hmmmm.......someone's idea to "improve" the coolant recovery system?

Steve

 

Does it connect directly to the connector normally used for the overflow hose? Like Steina said it sounds like somebody was playing with the recovery system. Since the system is a closed one, unless there was room left for expansion in the radiator neck the hose won't do anything. I would put the system back together with the overflow connected to the overflow tank and remove that tee in the heater hose. Fill the coolant up to the top, make sure you have the right radiator cap and that the "cooling system engineer" didn't change that as well. System with a coolant recovery tank keeping the system completely filled with coolant and displacing any air is pretty efficient and better than the old system that required you leave room in the top tank to allow for the expansion of coolant.

John

 

Byron -

OK, your turn - what's your idea on why it's hooked up like that?

Steve

 

No, it's a factory installed hose, no one played with the recovery system. There is an overflow hose and it's properly connected.

This one connects to, or enters below, where the radiator cap seals. I have taken the hose off and the "fitting" is molded into the radiator, (plastic end caps). Now, from the fitting on the radiator, this hose is "T'ed" into the heater hose and factory crimped like the other hoses.

When the engine is running, the fluid is streaming into the radiator all the time. So, I thinking it's to bleed off any air in the system.

Besides, the first owner bought the truck new and had to stop driving because of his age and health problems. I doubt he tampered with anything. All he did was change the oil and tires. I had to do a tune-up when I bought it with 65K miles.

 

Byron -

I learned something new today, but I still don't know the purpose of that hose; your idea of an air bleed makes sense, since heater hoses are usually the highest point in the system. Where does the hose from the recovery reservoir connect to the radiator?

Steve

 

I'll try to post some pic's in my gallery later...Since a picture is worth a thousand words.

Byron

 

Ok the pic's are in my gallery. Let me know what ya'll think.

 

Byron -

Thanx for the pix; I gotta admit, I've never seen a set-up like that. BTW - NICE truck!!!

Steve

 

man ive got the same setup on mine ..the rad is after market.. i didnt know what the second opening was for so i just plugged it off. that seems to make good sense to me as well.. let me ask do u have any cooling problem with that?? and if not could u get those model numbers off the hoses so that i may use the same setup... many thanks...

 

The Ford part number for that hose is F0TZ18472D

So, one-shot24 I guess your works good without the extra hose?

No, cooling problems here. The only maintenance I have done to the cooling system is change the coolant (every 30K miles or so), hoses (which were the original), fan clutch (went bad) and thermostat - 195 deg (which was not needed but I wanted a fail safe one installed).

Like I said before I think the hose diverts any air in the rad. Then after the rad cools, the air is released when the pressure drops and the vacuum that is created sucks fluid from the overflow container. Makes sence.

I think it's a factory install myself. Why? The previous owner would of had to get the after market rad and the hose with the tee installed to make the thing work.

Maybe yours was unconverted to an after market setup without the tee and they changed the heater hose to a straight one. Then when you changed your radiator you got the correct one for your truck. Now all you need is the heater hose with a tee installed and your back to original.


Bro-in-law (ford parts asst. mgr) gave me a radiator which they were throwing away (something about old stock that was slightly damaged) it does not have the connection for my extra hose but it's exact in ever other way.
I needed to know if I replace it that it will not cause any problems.


I was going to replace the radiator and hoses, fill with coolant, stick the tee'd off hose in the neck of the radiator, start the truck, and let the coolant run into the radiator while adding fluid as needed. When I can't add any more coolant I would plug up the hose and tye wrap it out of the way.

 

hey, thanks for the part #'s.. i've long since buying the truck been replceing a rubber plug over the secondary. the pressure would eat the plug away. and make my truck seem to be "peeing".. yellow coolant,,,yeah u get it.anyways this will save some embrassament.. uhh and i think i just answered your question about your new rad.other than the problem just mentioned i've had none. no over heating or anything to that nature ..and ive been replaceing the plug for about a year and a half now..good luck and thanks again..