hey, so yesterday when i parked my car, i noticed that there was smoke coming from the engine. when i poped the hood, i found coolant everywhere. so i need help changing my fluid and also the tube that has the hole in it.



that is the tube. the large one in the middle. how do i explain this tube to the people at advanced? i have no clue how to describe this thing.

also, how do i take off this clip?


is all i have to do, change it, and put in more fluid? what type of fluid should i put it?

thanks a lot.

 

Upper radiator hose? Not sure what it's called exactly.

Just pinch the ears together on that clamp and it'll let loose.

 

yeah, i just looked onto alldatapro and thats what its called. but it doesnt tell me how to change the fluid. anyone know what i should do to change it?

 

The clip? Its a spring loaded clamp. Use pliers or a vice grip to squeeze the tabs to open it and slide it down the hose a bit until its off of the radiator outlet. I wouldnt reuse them as they really are only meant for one time useage. Get new hose clamps when you go to autozone or whatever.

 

To drain the fluid you can just undo the drain plug in the bottom of the radiator let it all drain out then undo the hoses. replace the bad hose put them back on. and then fill it back up with 50/50 mix of antifeeze and water.

 

Oh and your owners manual should have the specifications for the type and amount of fluid to put back into it.

 

I would go ahead and change the lower rad hose as well, while you're all dirty. You'll probably have to cut a slit in those hoses to help break their grip on the radiator and engine block. I would refill with all water and let it circulate for 10 minutes or so, drain that all out, then refil with 50/50.

 

If you have pets running around , be sure to capture all the antifreeze you can . Any that gets on the ground try to wash down with water.
Antifreeze has a very sweet taste but is poisonous and will kill animals.

 

thank you all so much. but when i went to advanced today, they couldnt find the right hose. is there anywhere i can find the part number, or anything?

 

they are idiots if they cant find the right hose. go to another shop. you really shouldnt need a part number as its basically a regular wear item.

 

yup i agree.. did you tell them the year/make/model of your truck?? its not friggin rocket science. haha. my dead great grandma could figure that one out!!! hahaha

 

You should be able to find a parts store with the hose no problem.

Be sure that it is just the hose that is leaking. It could be the thermostat housing or something as well.

I would replace the spring clamps with regular hose clamps personally. Those spring clamps are probably as old as your truck and new hose clamps will only be $3 or so.

You need to bleed the cooling system afterward. Do this by taking the radiator cap off and getting the engine up to operating temperature. Let the heat run while you are doing this. Some coolant will bubble out of the radiator fill hole, so have a pan below to catch it. Once the coolant stops bubbling, which may take a few minutes, you should have most of the air out of the system.

A lot of the universal coolants sold at parts stores are just rebranded DexCool, which Ford doesn't suggest using. Regular green coolant is the best thing for your truck. You may have to go to a Napa or other smaller chain to get it.