Ford Focus Forum banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

plastic coolant pipe failure....the cause?

2 reading
Jump to Latest
19K views 8 replies 7 participants last post by  01sportwagon  
M
#1 ·
I bought a second focus a few weeks ago (01 se sedan) with the 2L zetec with 133K miles on the clock. Last night the plastic pipe that goes across the top of the radiator looks as if it split at the seam which was spewing coolant all over the place. After a call to AAA for a tow I got it home put some light on the situation and sure enough that is exactly where it's coming from....top seam of the plastic pipe right in the middle.

Since I need to go to the dealer to get this part anyway (when this part fails) is there anything else I should be looking for? Such as stuck thermostat or water pump starting to fail? As I said the car is new to me and was a one owner vehicle so I really don't have much history on it.

I've got the same setup of coolant hoses/pipes on the '02 zx3 that has 113K on it and haven't had any problems with it(knocking on the biggest piece of wood I can find). Is that a common part that fails like the thermostat housing and o-ring?

Thanks in advance for any advice,
Madd_Maxx

PS: Sorry for the double post....mods please delete the one that is in the wrong section.
 
#4 ·
That is a very common issue with the Focus. If you go to your local auto parts store that handles the brand Dorman, they make an upgraded version of that tube.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
M
#5 ·
Well ended up going to the dealership and getting me a replacement pipe for $18 and some change. Good news is that it's back together and there isn't any coolant leaks anyplace that I can find. Just the burn off residue from when the pipe cracked spraying anti-freeze all over the place (hopefully that will clear up pretty soon).

While I was there I decided to get some new sway bar links to see if that indeed would fix the clunking in the front end on the 01 sedan like it did with my 02 zx3. Sure enough when I got it apart the link on the drivers side had a loose end on it causing the clunk on every bump. They had been on there a while since they were pretty rusty. I even had to cut the one end of the link free with a cut off wheel cause the nut wouldn't turn. Another $46 later and all is well in the front end. Yep the stealership made a few bucks off me today for parts but I saved a crapload in labor by doing it myself.

Now for the next project.....timing belt. Not sure if previous owner has ever replaced it or not but I figure I might as well be safe than sorry later. Being broke down on the side of the road sux....especially when it's the car the little woman is driving.

Thanks All,
Madd_Maxx
 
#9 ·
By the way - The Dorman Heater Hose Outlet tube comes with the plastic clips. They look like a small black mushroom with a pin sticking out the top. With the clip in the bracket of the tube, seat the clip in the metal to where both the clip and the bracket are flush with the metal and press the pin in.
 
Ford Focus Forum
posts
3.6M
members
67K
Since
1989
Forum community dedicated to Ford Focus owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about RS/ST performance, modifications, troubleshooting, maintenance, and more!
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
TEAM Rigz Forced Induction & Nitrous MK I Tech Mk I Suspension Duratec Tuning