Hello all,

I know some of these are noob questions but I wanted to know a few things.

1. Car has been sitting for about a month and a half. Just added some coolant and after driving around again I noticed that the coolant level dropped from the max fill line to halfway in between the max fill line and the add line on the reservoir. The Radiator and cap are new and I have not had any leaks since changing those, so I'm hoping it's just from coolant being circulated again after sitting for so long? Also, it is extremely hot here in California if that might have anything to do with it.

2. There's a nice BIG hole under the battery carrier from rust and it bothers me quite a bit. I've checked the rocker panels and other parts of the car and they just seem to have some surface rust, but this thing worries me. What can I do about it? Patch weld? Cut a peice of metal in the shape of the panel the hole is in and rivet it on?

Rust Hole Covered By By Battery Tray

Rust Hole Without Battery Tray

Hole From Underneath Car.

This car came from IL so unfortunately it does have some pretty bad rust in some areas, but this one is by far the worst. Some of the suspension components also have a fair amount of rust on them but I do plan to replace those at some point. Any advice with how to deal with the other spots would be appreciated.

3. This rubber hose that seemingly has no purpose? I recently discovered this this hose that was held by a ziptie but was not connected to anything. Can anyone tell me what this is For? Do I Even Need it?

Where I originally found the hose.

First end of the hose.

Other end of the hose.

4. Just changed the power steering pump and reservoir with a new assembly. I added power steering fluid but have not run the car yet because I need to tighten the belt and torque the pump bolts. The last pump was almost completely dry and held a tiny amount in the reservoir. Changing out the pump was not messy at all because of how dry it was. Do I need to worry about air in the system or flushing the system?
Thanks for the help and happy 4th of July!

 

That looks like a breather hose. Possibly for the front differential, maybe for the trans or xfer case. The power steering should purge itself after a few turns lock-lock.

 

Hello, add your vehicle info with your profile so everyone knows what year you've got..
1} Fill the radiator first, then add coolant to the overflow.. Then watch the level for drops...
2} Find an intact battery tray section at the boneyard and replace it..
3}That hose is your front differential vent...Yes you need it...It appears to have simply pulled out of the center section if your axle..Add a touch of RTV silicon and reinstall..
4} You could flush the power steering system by putting the return hose in an old motor oil container and adding fresh in the reservoir...Or you can simply hope for the best and run it...Get the air out by turning the steering{lock to lock} while the vehicle is running ...I, myself would want to at least quick flush considering the last pump grenaded ...

 

Thanks for the reply. I hope that no damage has been done to the front differential, because that hose has probably been unplugged since I bought the car, which was almost 2 years ago. As for the power steering, I think I definitely messed up. After I installed everything and tightened everything back up, I filled the reservoir almost to the top, had someone turn on the engine, and start turning the wheel, and within 2 seconds the fluid immidiately ran into the system and the reservoir emptied before I could even get more fluid in. A big air bubble came up and splashed fluid out of the reservoir and now there's air in the system. I was told I would only need one quart to do this but apparently I need three? Can I just get more power steering fluid and try again tomorrow? Can't seem to find an exact answer for this situation for some reason.

 

Drain and refill the front differential after you fix the breather line as it's probably gotten water and assorted junk in there.

 

God only knows how long it's been disconnected like that. I'm assuming the transfer case is the only other part that has a breather hose like this right? I'd like to just replace all of them but I don't know how many there are.

 

Rear axle comes off where the brake-line T adapter is, xfer case has one, automatic trans comes off the upper passenger side, and front diff runs up along the upper drivers control arm.