...as I pulled into work. Thankfully it was not on the interstate! I have had a replacement for 6+ months and was going to do it this w/e when adding dipstick, changing trans fluid, replacing the rusty azz front crossmember, and flappy paddles. But at 258k it said RIGHT NOW!

 

258K miles. Impressive. Doesn't appear that it exploded and left you stranded, so you are more fortunate than some of the others.

Be careful when you pull the old one out as it wants to disintegrate into pieces and could leave pieces in your coolant systems.

Inexpensive pinch pliers work wonders in this area.

 

I as able to squeeze the HC side and get all of that end out but the engine side I was not able to bet about 1/3 of it out. I used my smallest (1" jaws) pliers to pull while pinching and squeezing the hose from behind the nipple to try and remove the broken pieces. Does any one know which direction the coolant goes, to or from the firewall? Those constant torque retaining clamps are the best **** but sure are a major PITA to get back on.

 

 

Good then this broken piece will be in the heater core?

 

In theory, yes, any "crud" will flow from the right cylinder head to the heater core. Whether said crud gets "stuck" in the core or flows through is anyone's guess.

Come to think of it, I wonder if these couplings are more prone to failure because they are in contact with the "hotter" coolant as it exits the head.

Either way, glad you have it sorted.

 

Oh I'm sure it is! The coupling was just mush in the middle! The ends with he barbs, not as much. I felt like that line was the hot side since the cooler water would not be going to the head like that.