Newbie - steam coming out - what broke?

[colorado burb]

I am a new owner of a 1995 Suburban with a 6.5L turbo diesel. I am not very familiar with this engine.

Something broke or came loose today and my engine started to overheat immediately. :confused: What is the part in the front of the engine on top (looks like it might be a housing for the thermostat) that has the big hose coming in from the top of the radiator on the right of it and a smaller metal tube coming out on the left? Right where the metal tube goes into this housing it has broken.

Oh I see I can insert an image let me try to send a pic.

http://x5.freeshare.us/119fs816413.jpg (http://freeshare.us)

http://x5.freeshare.us/119fs816529.jpg (http://freeshare.us)

What is this?

What are my options for repair?

Thanks,
Wade in Colorado

[john8662]

Aww the infamous quick connect heater hose connector. One of the biggest POS items on the engine, really.

Yours broke just like mine did..

Swapped out complete water crossover because my piece wasn't going to come out, and it was a good dual thermostat version too, darn.

I'm hoping others have some insight to help you in this department, I feel your pain!!!

[colorado burb]

Is that piece threaded into the water crossover housing? I can't hardly tell because it looks like it has been leaking and it is all corroded around the break point.

[john8662]

Yes, the piece is threaded into the manifold, it's not quite aluminum, some kind of pot metal, it's softer than the aluminum that was used to cast the manifold.

I do have another crossover just like the one you have installed on your engine that I'd part with that doesn't have anything broken on it come worse case scenario.

There is also a tool available at the local auto parts store that's called a heater connector remover, it's for removing these things, mine was so bad it was hopeless, You may have better luck though.

I'm hoping some of our other members will chime in on their experience getting this out.

[TAG]

I have removed many of these across the gm line by using a die grinder & a thin burr & cut through the remaining piece in two places across from each other. you can then use a small hammer & punch to cave the pieces toward each other & pull them out with pliers. hope this helps.

[piersbc]

I removed mine with an EZ out....and lots of patience...

[MTTwister]

a suitable 2-3" pipe nipple and a short lenght of heater hose that slips over the pipe that is buried in the broken connector.

[Burning Oil]

I used a 1/4" right angle air grinder with a carbide rasp to file most of the original part away. When I got it to the right diameter for a 1/2" pipe tap I taped new threads into the Xover. You can buy the replacement part at most auto parts stores in the "Help" section. They are made much better than the oringinal pot metal ones. Good luck.

[colorado burb]

Thanks everyone, I will let you know how mine comes out (no pun intended)

Can't work on it this weekend, but I will see how things go on Monday.

john8662 called the piece that broke a "quick connect heater hose connector", so how does it connect to the heater hose?

Wade

[Bnave95]

Thanks everyone, I will let you know how mine comes out (no pun intended)

Can't work on it this weekend, but I will see how things go on Monday.

john8662 called the piece that broke a "quick connect heater hose connector", so how does it connect to the heater hose?

Wade
The item allowes the heater hose to be disconnected by pushing in on the tabs(see the rubber area) and pulling the connector off .