Minor Brake Down Today (Need Info)

[rmp2711]

my work commute is about 16 miles one way. About 12 of it is highway. I was on my way home I came off the highway and stopped at a traffic light when I notice steam coming from under the hood. I drove a couple hundred feet and decided to pull in to a parking. I opened the hood and saw this small hose leaking. (by pass hose?) I had a piece of 3/8 hose in my tool box, cut it to length and install it with 2 small clamps. Fill the radiator with water, but the hose was to stiff to make the bend it needed and kinked. I drove to the parts store and bought the curved shaped hose I needed, some 50/50 mix anti freeze and drove home. My temp gauge never went above halfway the whole time. (got lucky!) It got to dark to work on the car so I'm going to have to fix it in the morning.

What is the capacity of the cooling system for the Festivas? Mine is a 90 5 speed. I know the radiators are small but is a gallon of anti freeze enough? i had to buy Peak Anti Freeze because they were out of Prestone. Is Peak as good as Prestone?

Rich

[MONSOON]

5.3 qts is the capacity. Some may say different, but to me 1 is just as good as another.

BTW this shouldve been posted in the Repair Help forum.

[collegeboi]

I usually put about 5.

[rmp2711]

Thanks guys. I'll buy another gallon so I'll have 5 quarts in my car, and keep the rest for backup. Sorry I posted in the wrong forum, must of had a senior moment.

Rich

[1988redfordfestiva]

hey u know that hose that broke it the same on the end of the over flow tank i have 12 of these since i know they blow up all the time u can order then from ford but there under a mazda number there $3 each tho its worth the money

[rmp2711]

I don't think the hose on the overflow tank would hold up . Its not a pressure hose,where the by pass hose is. Do you know what the part number is for the by pass hose? I got one last night but its 1/2 inch, not 3/8. If I use the 1/2 inch it might leak. Can't seem to find the right piece. Should I ask for a hose for a Ford Festiva, Maybe Mazda, or Kia. I'm stuck, and going to loose a days work.

Rich

[eurotiva]

It's just a bypass hose. I've used fuel line on it. I've even seen a few cars with it capped.

[rmp2711]

Ok, I replaced the by pass hose but I still have a leak. Its seems to be coming from the aluminum tube that runs down along side of the motor, that the by pass hose is connected to. I can see the drip but can't tell what is causing it because of all the oil and grime. Has anyone else had a leak from this alumminum piece, or have any suggestions on how to fix it? Is it one piece and how can it be removed? Please I need your help, I already missed a day of work.

Thanks, Rich

[ShagFestiva]

mine leaked where the bypass hose went into the metal tube that connects to the lower radiator hose. If thats where its leaking, disconnect all the little hoses on the metal bypass pipe, put a new O-ring in (you cant order these from mcparts stores or from the dealership, just go to your local hardware store and get an o-ring. Taking the hose with you is a good thing to do to make sure its the right size). Put the new oring on and slide it back in. Fixed!

[rmp2711]

Mine seems to be leaking somewhere between where the u- shaped rubber hose (the one I just replaced) and where the metal tube connects to the lower radiator hose. Almost in the middle of the metal tube. At times it looks like its leaking right at that hook that holds it in place. Then it seems to stop leaking there and will drip about 6 inch further down the tube to the left if you're standing in front of the car. I thinking maybe that rubber hose I put on is leaking very little on the back side and traveling down the tube.But when I felt around the clamps at the rubber hose it seems dry. I'll go out later and check to make sure that is not the problem. You said that there is a o-ring somewhere in the metal tubing. How is that tube put together,is it one piece or is it a few pieces? Is it just pushed into each other and you can just pull it apart? Sorry for all the questions and long post but I never dealt with something like this before.

Thanks,
Rich

[rmp2711]

Checked the rubber by pass hose and its not leaking.It must be the metal tube.It got to dark to try and remove it. I'm going to have to go to work tomorrow.I'll have to bring extra water with me and keep an eye on the temp. gauge.I'll have my fingers cross the whole way to and from work.

Rich

[1988redfordfestiva]

the o ring seal must be bad to the water pump i have had it happen twice change o ring use grease or oil the ring then insert pipe then reattach the by pass

[ShagFestiva]

You know where the metal bracket that holds the bypass on is right? Look down to the left, and you will see where it joins another metal tube. Just find your lower radiator hose, follow that til you hit the metal tube. One part of the tube bolts to the block, and the other one connects to the bypass tube that goes up the front of the block. When mine leaked, it dripped onto the block, and top lip of the oil pan so it was easy to find.

[rmp2711]

After all the wondering and guessing where the leak was coming from, come to find out that the rubber hose that I replaced was the wrong diameter.I thought when I put it on it went on to easy. I told the guy at the parts store it wouldn't work but thats all they had, and my Brother told me it would work. I'm not sure who is the bigger idiot, my Brother, or me for listening to him. Anyway i got the right size diameter hose and all is good. Thanks to everyone who tried to help an idiot. (ME)

Rich

[1988redfordfestiva]

lol i will show u guys a pic of the part that i used from the over flow tank as a bypass hose and it does work no question asked been running it that way for 2 months now but carb is acting up