Water pump hose or tube

I have a 2001 Windstar with 165K miles and so far the water pump has never been replaced. However if I look on the passenger side from the top of the engine, I can see a metal tube between the water pump ( or to a hose that connect to the wp) and this tube join another hose that join the rad. This tube is very very rusted and maybe corroded. I'm wandering if this is an easy job to replace it ( hope Ford has this part avalaible). Maybe it would be the time to replace the WP at the same time, but I am really concern with this corroded tube and the antifreeze lost that could happen.
Engine is a 3.8l.

There is a small metal tube assembly that attaches to the pump ... o-ring seal ... one, (or two?), small bolts hold it in place. This tube assembly is a fairly high failure item ... likely the dealer will have it in stock.

Replacing this tube is fairly easy ... but the water pump replacement is fairly difficult and will waste a whole day (at least). Usually the front cover gasket and the water pump are replaced together as so much work is involved to get to the area.

There is a small metal tube assembly that attaches to the pump ... o-ring seal ... one, (or two?), small bolts hold it in place. This tube assembly is a fairly high failure item ... likely the dealer will have it in stock.

Replacing this tube is fairly easy ... but the water pump replacement is fairly difficult and will waste a whole day (at least). Usually the front cover gasket and the water pump are replaced together as so much work is involved to get to the area.
Thank you, I will get that tube ( and O rings) as soon as possible and make arrangement to replace it. I am aware of the difficulties to replace the water pump since I have readed almost every posts on this list. I will probably try
to replace that tube in first as it look very bad, and wait until summer to make WP replacement according that it doesn't fail til there. I'm in the Montreal region and it is very cold here.
Thank you for your answer.

I just replaced water pump and the tube you are speaking of. I suggest taking the wheel off to gain access through the wheel well. You will also want to check a smaller tube that comes off the top of the pump and coonects with heater hoses. This too is a high fail item. I meant to change these two tubes this spring but it was too late. The small tube sprung a leak at a weld joint. I did not plan on replacing the pump but I had a tough time getting the pipe out of the pump and ended up cracking the pump-big mistake! Another weak spot is a coolant tube that runs under the upper intake. When you get the new tube from Ford, you will see why they fail-they are very thin. I suggest regular coolant flushes, but my tubes rotted from the outside due to exposure. Good luck.

I just replaced water pump and the tube you are speaking of. I suggest taking the wheel off to gain access through the wheel well. You will also want to check a smaller tube that comes off the top of the pump and coonects with heater hoses. This too is a high fail item. I meant to change these two tubes this spring but it was too late. The small tube sprung a leak at a weld joint. I did not plan on replacing the pump but I had a tough time getting the pipe out of the pump and ended up cracking the pump-big mistake! Another weak spot is a coolant tube that runs under the upper intake. When you get the new tube from Ford, you will see why they fail-they are very thin. I suggest regular coolant flushes, but my tubes rotted from the outside due to exposure. Good luck.
Thank you for this information too. I will go through the wheel weel. I live in Canada and I have gave a phone call to a Ford dealer part counter this afternoon and the price here is $59.25. If you are in the States could you tell me the price that you pay for that tube. ( the one on the pump). I live very close to the US border so I can go to a US ford dealership if the price is better.
Thank you again.

I think I paid $35 to 40 (US) for the lower tube.

I think I paid $35 to 40 (US) for the lower tube.

OK thank you I will buy it from a US Ford dealer.

I replaced the same tube on my '99 recently. The hardest part was getting the clamps off the hoses in the rear, and then working the tube out. It was like a damn puzzle.

I paid $26 USD at my local dealer. The part was in stock.