Upper radiator hose blew-2002 Ford Windstar SEL

[Wabbit]

Upper radiator hose blew out. What do I do now? How do I find out if I have replacing hose is the answer? 

Will wrapping duct tape around hose split allow me to drive 20 miles? I get that's prob a hard question to just say "Yes" too, but just in general.

[B and C]

Yes, if you fill the radiator full AND leave the radiator cap loose. You don't want the system to build pressure with a patch. It will get you to town so you can replace it.

[Wabbit]

Pic at bottom. Looks to be just a hose issue. If you look at the pic, that's not a split, that's rubbing damage from a corner of the plastic that houses battery. I thought it was a blow out from feeling it while still attached to vehicle. Removing hose I see what I felt was not a split\blown hose, just rubbing damage. I feel a little better. Ordering hose, gonna leave vehicle parked and use the beast to drive into Blythe to get hose.  Thanks!


   

[snikwahpn]

That's an '02? Nothing made out of rubber and fabric lasts forever. Hoses, belts, gaskets, bushings--they all give out sometime. Heat is the worst enemy of rubber, and there is plenty of that in a car engine. The way things are crowded together under a hood in modern cars makes friction damage like you describe likely as well. About all you can do is include the belts and hoses in your checking under the hood when you look at the dipstick and coolant levels.

[weigh2ez]

If it were me I'd change the bottom hose too.  I imagine i's the same age and when that one goes you lose a lot of coolant fast.

[rvpopeye]

X2^
I change hoses out every 10 years and save the old ones for spares.

You can also cut up a bad one (or even a new one) and use pieces of it for extra protection on a new one for those spots that may rub against something. Attach using tie wraps.

[GotSmart]

Zip ties. Duct tape for people who are not able to deal with sticky stuff.

[rvpopeye]

20 layers of duct tape + ties on top = new hose *.......................................?

*(This only works on the internet , don't try this at home.)

[B and C]

I'm old school and use bailing wire. It doesn't melt except at extreme temps.

[rvpopeye]

And Def use the wire to hold up an exhaust...

BTW
All the hay around here ends up in giant plastic "donuts".
That wire might be getting scarce ..keep a spare roll.