Broken fitting on radiator - degas bottle

[johny5]

While changing my t-stat today I snapped a plastic fitting / hose that runs into the top of the radiator from the degas bottle. I am certain that I'm not the first to do this, it's right in the way when you're trying to get at the t-stat. Can someone please have a look at this and tell me:

1) what function does this hose have
2) is it necessary
3) if 2 is yes, what sort of options do I have to fix it

Additionally, I lost a bit more coolant than I expected while changing out the t-stat. Is it ok to top it off with distilled water or do I need to mix some 50/50 and add? I'm running the ford gold stuff (I know it sucks.. ).

Thanks!

[johny5]

OK, I believe I have found my answers. I read in a couple of other posts that folks have tapped the radiator and threaded a brass fitting in with thread tape, gonna give this a shot. It also sounds like I'll be OK to add some water to my coolant to make up for what I lost. I read that as long as it's not less than 40% it will be alright.

If anyone has a better suggestion I'm interested in hearing it.

Thanks,

[Ironmover]

You'll be alright but I would suggest a test of its freezing point just to be safe.

Dumb question, did you drain your coolant to a clean bucket prior to thermostat replacement? I didn't lose neary a drop when I replaced mine last spring.

[johny5]

Yeah, I tried but didn't catch much it went everywhere and i had no help. If I'd been a bit quicker I wouldn't have lost near as much but I ended up having to remove the fuel line that goes to the secondary fuel filter to get to the bolt.

Picked up a cheap set of thread taps and put a brass fitting in with some thread tape. Then took it for a good drive, 90 miles (had to drop my daughter off with my ex). No leaks and there appears to be no issue. The whole ordeal was a bit of a pain in the *** since I didn't plan on dealing with this on a Sunday but it all seems to have worked out ok.

[Jeff-F250]

Yep I did the same thing changing the intercooler piping. I used a brass fitting, some Teflon tape and good ol super glue. There's not a lot of material to tap so the glue just helps to aid in holding the two together tightly. It's held for 20,000 plus miles without a single leak.