Heater Hose Confusion

RhodeRash · Sep 4, 2011

Need to get the truck on the road ASAP.

Background. I have a 2.3L 1989 Ranger that was overheating the last few days and it was dripping coolant where the heater hose meets the Tee near the valve cover (on the side of the Tee where the small diameter hose connects to the metal vacuum tube) -- causing all kinds of steam. The thermostat was bad and the hoses looked like they needed replacing -- so I took them out with plans to replace them. (Additional info: the water pump was replaced in May).

Problem. I am confused by the heater hoses and their connections. The heater hose on the coming out of the inner side of the heater core (closest to the middle of the engine) was connected to the water outlet of the thermostat housing. The heater hose coming out of the outer side of the heater core ran to a plastic Tee. From the Tee a smaller hose is connected to the metal tube towards the back of the engine and from the front of the Tee it is connected, via another a length of heater hose, to the water pump.

My questions:
1. Does the layout to the heater hose to the Tee connector sound correct? When I go to Autozone they are giving me additional heater hose configuration options for my vehicle, which is leading to further confusion. The Haynes manual has not been helpful in this regard.
2. What kind of hose do I need to replace the smaller diameter hose (which was also junk) that connected from the Tee to the metal tubing?

Duane867 · Sep 4, 2011

I'd honestly have to see what you are looking at to tell you if it was routed correctly before you started.

Take a section of each hose you need to replace with you to the store and you'll be able to match up the diameter.
It should all be standard heater core hose in the small diameters.

RhodeRash · Sep 4, 2011

Photos of the hose situation

I put the hoses in question back in the place I think I found them (but without the clamps), took some photos, and put them on photo bucket -- just in case it might be helpful in solving my problem.

http://s1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff370/RhodeRash/?albumview=slideshow

adsm08 · Sep 4, 2011

I can't remember if the 89s had a heater bypass, but it almost looks like someone tried to replace the bypass with just a regular old T.

RhodeRash · Sep 4, 2011

They do sell bypass hoses for the 89. Is that where it would connect?

noahkenny · Sep 4, 2011

RhodeRash said:
They do sell bypass hoses for the 89. Is that where it would connect?

I have the same model and engine. That metal tube goes around the back of the valve cover and ends up at a connection under the intake. I believe this is the bypass hose. Mine had a tee and hose assembly made together. It busted a couple years ago and you cant get it anymore. I ended up making a new one out of pipe fittings. You water circuit comes from the water pump to the tee. The 90 degree turn goes to the heater core and straight though the tee is the bypass hose. That bypass tube might have a hole rusted in it. I ended up replacing mine with a rubber hose. Then the other heater hose goes to the water neck.

AllanD · Sep 5, 2011

To circulate coolant through the lower intake (to heat the intake) there must be a "goes into" and a "Goes out of" for "flow" to actually happen.

You can easily eliminate that hose and replace the fitting on the lower intake with a pipe plug.

It's not like anyone is ever going to run a full EPA test cycle on your decades old truck.

As for "Normal coolant flow" the "PRIMARY" flow path is for the water pump to presureize the block with cool water from the radiator.

From the block coolant flows up into the head.

At that point it flows out to the heater core and the RETURN line goes to the water pump.

When cold this is the only way coolant flows.

The secondary coolant path diverts hot water from the T-stat housing to the
radiator and back to the water pump.

Until 94-ish all Ford Ranger/Explorer/Bronco2 had unobstructed flow through the heater core
at all times (the AIR was controlled to regulate cabin heat) Starting in 1994 Ford started using a vacuum controlled heater control valve that diverts water around the heater core.

That is the bypass, but before 1994-ish no Ranger actually had a "bypass"

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Duane867 · Sep 5, 2011

Thats good chit Alan.

RhodeRash · Sep 6, 2011

You guys are the best!

Thanks for all your help as I have my truck up and running with no coolant leaks or overheating (so far).

I was too impatient to wait for molded hose, so I ended up buying it by the roll, cutting what I needed, and using some plastic connections for the more extreme angles. For now, I used 3/8" fuel line hose for the connection from the Tee to the little metal intake pipe that runs next to the valve cover. Next time I might just put a plug on the end of the metal tube as suggested.

Thanks again.

Phideaux · Jun 18, 2013

I realize this is a very old thread, but I have this same issue with my '89 Ranger and I have a question. My hose seems to be broke/disconnected where it goes into the head. The problem is that I can't see behind there to tell exactly how it's connected. Does anyone know of a diagram, video, article, or anything showing what kind of fitting is there? Or maybe someone knows and can tell me?

kabappa · Jul 19, 2013

I have a 87 ranger 4cyl and the bypass sounds the same. On mine I can only see or get at it from under the truck looking up and removing the oil filter. The hose just connects onto a metal pipe sticking out and is held on with a small clamp. Hope this helps.

Heater Hose Confusion

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