Coolant leak?

Tiny
FYTKID
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 FORD ESCAPE
  • 3.0L
  • V6
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
I managed to get the photo to upload. The water pump is visible above. The coolant hose that leads to the oil cooler connects to a hard line that is before the oil cooler. I can't tell where that line goes but it doesn't immediately go to the oil cooler as far as I tell. I drew an arrow approximately where the leak is. It's a drip with reservoir cap on, but it's a stream with the cap off. I'm wondering about the name of the part to be able to replace it. I'm also wondering if it can be patched with some sort of wrap or jb weld.
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Thursday, December 15th, 2022 AT 4:19 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

I believe that it is a heater hose. Am I looking at the water pump at the rear of the engine or is this the auxiliary pump near the radiator?

Let me know.

Joe
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Thursday, December 15th, 2022 AT 8:47 PM
Tiny
FYTKID
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At the front near the radiator.
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Friday, December 16th, 2022 AT 6:15 AM
Tiny
FYTKID
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I think I've thought of a solution. Let me know what you think. I'll let you know how it goes. I intend to use a hacksaw or copper pipe cutter to remove 2 inches of that line. Then get a coolant hose with a good inner diameter already molded with such a curve and slide it over the ends and clamp it.
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Friday, December 16th, 2022 AT 8:49 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

That sounds like a good plan. I don't see why it wouldn't work as long as you don't kink a straight hose.

Let me know how it turns out for you.

Take care,

Joe
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Friday, December 16th, 2022 AT 9:01 PM
Tiny
FYTKID
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Okay, tried to verify where I thought the leak was coming from. This time with the reservoir cap off so I wasn't just getting the drip as I showed you before. I really can't see exactly where the water is coming from well because the radiator fans are so close to the engine. I'm beginning to think it's the lines closer to the oil cooler and that I might be better off rerouting the coolant to delete the oil cooler lines altogether. At least then I could drive it again. Unless I've had coolant loss, I've never had overheating issues and engine temp has always run below the half hash line. I'm thinking that perhaps the heat shielding around the oil cooler coolant lines has allowed the exhaust manifold to rub through those lines. I'm pretty sure the oil cooler is probably a little much for this engine. What are your thoughts or recommendations about how to bypass oil cooler lines?
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Wednesday, December 21st, 2022 AT 5:24 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

When you place that much engine in that small of a compartment, they tend to run hotter just due to a lack of airflow. I wouldn't delete it. Also, are you able to see anything from under the vehicle? It could be a few things there.

If you haven't already, pressure test the system. You do this when the engine is cold, and you won't get burnt on anything. Here is a link that explains how it's done.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/radiator-pressure-test

You will need a pressure tester, but most parts stores will lend one to you. Let me know if you can do this.

Take care,

joe

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Wednesday, December 21st, 2022 AT 8:54 PM
Tiny
FYTKID
  • MEMBER
  • 10 POSTS
Okay, decided to pull the radiator and try to get a better look. Exhaust manifold is in the way too. I got one hose off the oil cooler, but what I assume is a return line is completely obscured by the exhaust manifold and small cat. If I'm going to replace this assembly with a new one behind the exhaust, I'll need to know what it's called. I've tried shopping online using several of my guesses and nothing matches or seems to exist. Oil cooler coolant line assembly and many other variants didn't work. I wouldn't design a system with rubber hoses between the engine and exhaust manifold, why would anyone? So, who can guess what they named that assembly? They seem to be attached. The in and return I mean.
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Wednesday, December 28th, 2022 AT 4:30 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi,

Take a look at the pic attached. That's what they give me. LOL

Let me know.

Joe
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Wednesday, December 28th, 2022 AT 8:43 PM
Tiny
FYTKID
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Sorry, pic you referred to, isn't showing up.
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Thursday, December 29th, 2022 AT 8:42 AM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
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Hi,

I have no idea why that didn't attach. Here it is again. Let me know if you get it.

Take care,

Joe
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Thursday, December 29th, 2022 AT 8:20 PM
Tiny
FYTKID
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I've seen that pic before. It doesn't show the coolant lines and hoses routed from the water pump that is driven by the camshaft pulley that goes behind the exhaust manifold to the oil cooler and the return from the oil cooler going god knows where.
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Friday, December 30th, 2022 AT 1:06 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 110,176 POSTS
Hi,

Are you sure it doesn't run up to the auxiliary water pump? See pic below.

If I had it in front of me, it would help. However, I "think" the one hose goes to the water pump at the rear of the engine and the other hose goes to the auxiliary pump.

Let me know.

Joe
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Saturday, December 31st, 2022 AT 2:52 PM

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