First of all, let me say this. This website is what the internet was meant to be - a place to share information. I have only been a member for a couple of weeks and I have already successfully learned to troubleshoot an EGR flow insufficient code and replaced the DPFE sensor on my 01 F150 and I'm only having the proper ratchet extension away from having the instrument cluster out on my wife's 99 Expedition to try Dakota Viking's cure for odometer blackout. I could not have nor would not have tried either had I not found this website.

Here's my question. On the 99 Expy, I've got a strong coolant smell inside the vehicle and I'm losing coolant every time I drive. Could this be anything else other than a leaking heater core. Just would like to know before I either shell out the bucks or the time to replace. Thanks in advance.

 

first things first, pressure test the cooling system. if you see coolant dripping from the ac drain behind the right head, then yes it is a heater core. otherwise check the hose over #4 coil for leak, look under the intake for possible bypass tube leaking and so on. good luck.

 

Welcome Palmetto - BowTieHatr has it right.

 

BowTieHatr, Thanks for the quick response. Please bear with me however, I'm pretty mechanically inclined but I'm a novice on working on automobiles. How do you do a pressure test? I'm pretty sure I can find the ac drain and hose under the intake but any help is appreciated, also which one is the #4 coil. I apologize in advance for you having taken on a project (me).

 

hey no worries, we all have to start somewhere and sometime. anywho, go to autozone and rent a pressure tester and the adapter that screws onto the coolant jug. what this will do is actually put pressure on the cooling system without the engine being scorching hot. make sure the jug is full when you pressure test it so no air will enter the system and mess with your head. then just start looking for drips. you will have to look up from under the truck because it is right behind the head. the #4 coil is the one all the way back on the right (passanger) side, you will need a light. happy hunting and post back or pm me if you need further assistance.

 

I started yesterday in the afternoon and just about finished replacing all 8 plugs and cops on my '98 expedition 5.4L 2x4. I was just about to wrap things up when I saw that the Motorcraft Heater Hose part # KH281 that I had gotten didn't look anything like the hoses that hang right above COP's #3 & 4. Needless to say and as countless of owners of this vehicle have experienced the same pb, I had missfires on a piston, namely P0304 + CEL which are all taken care of now. So I am trying to prevent any reoccurence of the pb by eliminating any hidden leaks with the replacement of the heater hose.

What I found are 2 hoses instead of just one which both look similar as they appear to be each shaped in a 3 way T. One end starts somewhere deep near the firewall, middle T leg feeds into manifold, while the other end goes right back down under somewhere towards the front possibly into the rad.

I have read on some of the posts on this site that one of these 2 hoses is supposed to be inlet and the other outlet which of course I can't tell apart. To me, it looks like the back hose had more wear-n-tear on the outside compared to the front hose which would mean that it carries the hottest water therefore making it the inlet. I called the dealer and they gave me the same part number as the one I had ordered and when I asked if they had any heater hose that looked like 3 way for the heater core, they said NADA. I asked if Ford made any modification to the hose since inception and was given the same answer.

Can anyone confirm or refute any of the above comments and possibly point me in the right direction concerning how to ID th(is/se) part(/s) and place to find it/them?

TIA

Bob

 

I have the same problem with my '98 Expy w/4.6 engine. Have you figured out how to replace these hoses? They have a funny connector on the end that connects to the pipe that goes to the rear heater core and I am not sure how to get the hose off. Thanks!

 

[img]file:///C:/TSO/tsocache/CHAOS_448/SWJ~us~en~file=GL0469A.gif~gen~ref.gif[/img]

Picture from DVD manual. There are two 'wings' sticking out of the end of the hose connector, Squeeze together inwards real tight and pull. Can help to push before squeezing to relieve pressure.

To Fitzge45 - I had same problem with my Ford dealer who wanted to sell me hoses without the 3-way.....remind your man you have an Expy with rear heat - that's where the T goes.

HTH - Lynn.

 

Sorry I *still* cannot manage to get a picture inline here.

Here is a link to the diagram.... http://www.debscave.com/helicoil/heaterhose.gif

 

I was told that my '98 Navigator has a bad DPFE sensor and the dealership wants $250+ to replace it. I read somewhere that they are easy to replace.

Did you replace your DPFE sensor yourself? If so, how hard was it to replace. Also, about how much does the part cost?

Thanks.

 

Found a DPFE sensor online for $52. Now I'm off to see if I can find that sucker and see how hard it is to replace.
Are there any codes that will have to be cleared once (if) I replace the sensor. If so, how do I go about doing that? Will the CEL go out or will something have to be reset by the dealership?
Thanks again.