Bypass Hose

[CoachKarl]

Hello Everyone,

I've noticed a trend. For the fourth time in three years, I've found the culprit ,of a strickened 95 or 96 3.8L Windstar, to be . . . the bypass radiator hose. This hose goes from the top of the waterpump, under the Intake Plenum, to just behind the thermostat. It is the weakest link in the system. Check yours for swelling and change it with 2' of the finest 5/8" Hose you can buy. Heck, if you change any hose, just go on and swap that thing out. It's easy to ignore because It lives down there by the fuel rail, and is a bear to change unless you've got the right tools, never mind changing it on the side of a road.

Karl

[busboy4]

Hi Karl
Just for clarification, what kind of failures have you seen. Mine was in fine shape recently at 143k. I don't doubt you a bit, just interested.

[jmoffett]

In April, my shop replaced this bypass hose on an '02 Windstar with the 3.8. Now, 8 months and 9,000 miles later, it has failed again. This is definitely a problem as far as I'm concerned.