It appears the intended DesignLifeTime for this vehicle, assembled in 2000, was engineered for around 18yrs;
starting in 2019, during nearly each Coolant system maintenance routine (ThermoStatValve, Hoses, FlushFill...)
yet another original plastic part (ThermoStatHousing, HoseTeeFitting, RadiatorSideTank...) cracked & leaked. In
2020July, after installing new hoses into & out of the HeaterValve, it began leaking. Like the ThermoStatHousing & Radiator, the Plastic Valve was replaced with an AllMetal Valve shown below, typical on 1970s+1980s vehicles.
FordMotorCraft# yL2z-18495-aa\yg368
* Plastic Actuator+Body, Crack+Leak
* 0i125HoseBarb, Set For Vac=CLOS
* 0i625HoseBarb Coolant NLet+OLet
* Factory Original
* Plastic Actuator+Body, Crack+Leak
* 0i125HoseBarb, Set For Vac=CLOS
* 0i625HoseBarb Coolant NLet+OLet
* Factory Original
4SeasonsFactoryAir# 74603
* Metalic Actuator+Body
* 0i125HoseBarb Is Bent, Vac=CLOS
* 0i625HoseBarb Coolant NLet+OLet
* Installed 2020.0803
* Metalic Actuator+Body
* 0i125HoseBarb Is Bent, Vac=CLOS
* 0i625HoseBarb Coolant NLet+OLet
* Installed 2020.0803
4SeasonsFactoryAir# 74604
* Metalic Actuator+Body
* 0i125HoseBarb Straight, Vac=OPEN
* 0i625HoseBarb Coolant NLet+OLet
* Reverse Operation, Did NOT Install
* Metalic Actuator+Body
* 0i125HoseBarb Straight, Vac=OPEN
* 0i625HoseBarb Coolant NLet+OLet
* Reverse Operation, Did NOT Install
Links To Related Info
Thanks go to the brave souls who've preceded me in similar adventures & freely shared their experience below:
- https://web.archive.org/web/20210426172839if_/https://www.ranger-forums.com/2-9l-3-0l-v6-tech-32/new-me-ranger-blows-up-heater-hose-165200 Coolant HeaterValve Failed
- http://youtu.be/CZPJcSqaa08?t=95 Coolant HeaterValve Repair
- http://youtu.be/GBSrBGha1w4?t=36 Coolant HeaterValve Repair
- http://web.archive.org/web/20200920100659if_/https://www.explorerforum.com/forums/threads/stop-leak-coolant-additive-which-one.489558 Coolant LeakPrevention With KSeal