2002 Taurus Thermostat Housing

My Taurus started leaking coolant when I was 130 miles away from home this weekend. Luckily I was able to get home safely without a hitch.

My father and I thought it was the water pump going bad (143k miles) but upon closer inspection the tubing/connection on the thermostat housing cracked.

Where can I get a replacement piece? NAPA doesn't have this in stock and the dealer wants a ridiculous amount for the entire housing. eBay also has the entire housing for around $130 shipped. We took the piece off and it looks like it would be replaceable. See image of where the crack is.

Has this happened to anyone else before?

The whole "u" shaped tube (think that part # is 8K528 for 3.0 duratec engine) has to be replaced and it has to be purchased at the dealer. I had the same issue with my 2002 Taurus.I searched all the local auto part chains and small auto repair part stores and no one had the part, except the dealership.The part was about 150 dollars in the ford dealership.

You can also wait that it stop bleeding and seal it with silicone.

Salvage yard would be my first stop.