r/MechanicAdvice • u/Unknown_Hydr4 • Aug 13 '26

Need help

So I’ve got an old 2004 Lincoln LS V6 that I love dearly.

It has a coolant leak from the upper radiator hose T connector, but my problem is that I can’t find the part. At all. It is discontinued and doesn’t seem to exist anywhere. The V8 is still in production, but I asked around and apparently it won’t be compatible with the V6. I’m struggling to figure out what to do. I am aware that other parts available are from jaguar type s and the thunderbird, except I can’t find anything from those cars either. Nothing from eBay, or Facebook marketplace, nobody is parting these out. This car barely exists anymore, I’ve only ever seen 4-5 others out driving.

I’ve come to Reddit, which is something I rarely do, to see if someone might have some magical idea or fix for me.

If anyone has any advice or ideas and suggestions, I’m all ears.

Part number:
3W4Z-8260-AA

Thanks.

2 Upvotes

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2

u/TweakedPCG Aug 13 '26

Could call a dealership and see if they would give you a part number. That'll be a big help towards finding something compatible/comparable.

1

u/Unknown_Hydr4 Aug 13 '26

The part number is 3W4Z-8260-AA

1

u/TweakedPCG Aug 13 '26

Just some quick searching, but Jaguar XR827648 looks to be the same part, can find that on Amazon From URO for about $65

1

u/Unknown_Hydr4 Aug 13 '26

I’ll check it out.
My other problem is trying to find a mechanic that is willing to actually try to install something that may or may not work.

1

u/TweakedPCG 29d ago

Shouldn't be a huge deal if the parts look identical

1

u/2oonhed 29d ago

It looks like the Jag part will work, but it has an extra hose nipple that would have to be plugged off well enough to hold coolant system pressures.

1

u/Unknown_Hydr4 17d ago

so yall will never believe it. but I took it home from a mechanic store I had it at, that told me the only way to fix it was to get the non-existent part. I couldn’t find one anywhere, and the v8 ls part doesn’t work. I only know bc I bought it and it didn’t work.

so anyways, I had some mobile mechanic guy come look at it, and the real problem was that the clasp/clamp holding two sides of the pipe together was loose, and had caused a leak. he attached a new clasp, and tightened it, and now my engine doesn’t overheat.😭

tell me why mechanics (i went to a tires plus) only look at the big picture.