Gates 28502 Quick-Lok Heater Hose Connector

This is the connector to connect the heater core hose to the intake manifold in a 2001 Ford Windstar. Mine was leaking at the connection. I cut the old hose off as close to the old connector as possible. I couldn't get the old connector to come off so I carefully 'broke' the ears holding it on and was able to get it off. You will need a hose clamp to connect the hose to the new connector. Then slide the new connector over the 3/4" metal tube coming out of the intake manifold. Make sure you clean the 3/4" tube, and take off the old O rings if need be (there are 2 of them) before sliding the new connector on. The last little bit takes some force before it slides all the way on and you hear the 'click' telling you it is secure. A quick trip around the neighborhood produced no leaks whatsoever. I removed the 'flexible tube boot' between the air filter housing and the air intake on the manifold to better get at the connector (loosen the 2 hose clamps and pull out the vacuum tube on the back side ... don't forget to push the vacuum tube back into the boot when reinstalling it). When I was cutting the hose off at the connection I put a plastic cup under the area I was cutting to catch as much antifreeze fluid as possible. About 16 oz. came out which I returned to the reservoir (minus a bit that ended up on the ground) upon completion of the project.

Ford said the heater hose was discontinued and referred me to a popular auto parts store. This repair filling worked perfectly to replace a cracked quick disconnect on the back of a 3.8 engine in a 2001 Windstar van. The downside was this replacement part did not fit over the factory retainer and it had to be removed with a heat gun to soften the old nylon. I also polished the metal tube with penetrating oil and scotchbrite to remove rust & scale to prevent a leak or damage to the o-ring seal. I used a razor knife and cut the hose at the crimp (see picture), the hose and tube are both 3/4. This was not difficult to repair a broken plastic part.

Fit perfectly on my 2008 Trailblazer SS. This feels just as solid as the connector from my OEM heater line I replaced. This is a 5/8" ID part, so check which side this will fit on your heater lines.

The product arrived promptly and was exactly as stated in the product description, but it was too small to fit the male end on the pipe coming from the engine...

Perfect replacement for my cracked factory installed heater hose connector. I would definitelypurchase again.

Exactly as expected.

These connectors are missing the details to order them. A 28502 is one connector, that fits a 3/4" tube and connects to a 3/4 inch heater hose. The picture should only show that one connector and prehaps show a picture of the package with the details. I did not buy this at Amazon, even though I WANTED TO. Even buying this locally, I had to buy 2 other connectors before I got the right one. One auto parts sold me one for a 5/8 tube to 5/8 hose. 2nd store sold me a 3/4 tube unit to a 5/8 hose. Finally I was able to get this one, and complete the repair. By using this connecter, I was able to repair my factory heater hose, rather than replace it! My local mechanic said I had to replace the entire hose. Not true ! I did pay 50% more locally than the price at Amazon.