What Part is This?
 

Hello All,

So I have been having water pump issues for about a year and half now. At first, I was loosing air conditioning and using store bought recharge kits which fixed it to last every few months and then I would repeat the process over (https://mustangforums.com/forum/2005...-temp-air.html). Then I was loosing coolant almost weekly and at one point the engine almost overheated on a very hot summer day (https://mustangforums.com/forum/2005...ed-advice.html). I had the water pump fixed from Ford about 9 months ago and everything seems fine until...

I just recently took in my car for a simple oil change before a trip since I did not have time to do it myself. They mentioned that they noticed a leaking water pump. I explained that a shop recently fixed it and I will have to follow up with that shop to see if there is a warranty. Anyway, when I got home I looked under the hood to look around. I noticed the below part and noticed it is covered in rust.

So can anyone:

1. Tell me what this part is?
2. Is it related to the water pump/cooling system?
3. Is it supposed to be rusted over (not the top part but all the exposed metal underneath)?

Thanks!

(Picture for reference...not my car)
Attachment 49478

since this is a v6 car, I would check all the hoses and thermostat housing. ive read quite a bit that they fail or crack and leak. also a leaky hose under intake towards the back.

that's the EGR valve.

This.

Exhaust Gas Recirculation. It shoots exhaust back into your intake (simplified) and it's normal for it to have that patina on it.

Can't really tell what that part is. I don't remember that on my 6er BUT, sounds like your thermostat housing may be whats causing the leaking coolant. There are tons of threads regarding this issue. Can you find out where the leak is coming from?

You circled the EGR valve, and it has nothing to do with the coolant issue.

Most likely you have the cracked thermostat housing - very common. Take a look and you will probably see where coolant has been blowing back under the intake manifold. Easy fix, get the aluminum one that is now available. It is luck of the draw how long the plastic housing will last - some have replaced it 3 times in 90,000 miles.