2000 ford contour. Hard hose/line that runs in front of the engine has a hole and is leaking rusty water. Car overheats.

Apparently AutoZone has a video, but you have to sign up to watch it.

https://www.fixya.com/cars/t1370622-heater_core

Marvin says you have to remove the dash.

Answered here with a diagram. The dash does need removing.

https://www.justanswer.com/ford/16qlo-97-contour-replace-heater-heater-core-does-dash-need.html

NORMALLY you would only remove the core if it was leaking. I seem to remember I told you how to flush it both both ways and you said some rusty water came out. If you attach the hose to one pipe and water comes out the other, it isn't blocked. You can even drain it and put descaler in it overnight by having two tubes same length and lift them up to the same level; and fill with descaler and leave overnight. flush both ways the next day.

Does the engine overheat? Does the water pump work?

We covered the electronic open / close valve and electronic controls. What was the outcome on that?

The only thing which can cause white smoke is steam, and given radiator is in front, may be a small hole due to road pebble penetrating radiator core. Keep eye on water level and engine temperature as you don't want to run and overheat engine ever.
www.FREE-STREAM-TV.com

you have to figure out where the leak is first and u cam add water while running just dont do it when car is hot

Hello

The generic method of bleeding air from the cooling system is to use a floor jack and raise the front of the car as high as possible, then fill the coolant recovery tank full and run the engine until it just starts to overheat, high end of normal zone on gauge, then shut the engine down and run cold water over the radiator core, this will self bleed the system and the coolant will be pulled from the recovery tank, repeat as necessary, never let the recovery tank run dry or more air will be pulled into the system.

check the fuel filter some where on fuel filter there should be a arrow or a in or out labled on it
if has arrow arrow should point to front of car
if has in or out IN should be tank side of filter
if that checks out ok check for a fuel leak
possible places for fuel leak would be fuel filter connections connections to tank or if lines are rusty they could be leaking
my best guess is you got a fuel leak somewhere

some 3.0 engines hive a head gasket leak on the rear head on the corner hear the water pump..

if your water pump has never been changed its a good bet that it is leaking. they are designed with a weep-hole that leaks to warn you that the bearing is going out. You can also verify if the bearing in the water pump is bad by grasping it at any two opposite sides and try and see if you can move it... even a little slight play indicates that it is going bad. if not the pump leaking the cleanup the engine, being careful not to spray water onto your alternator.. then get the car to normal operating temp and look for awhile at all hoses even the ones that go to the a/c heater system. another quick check is to look for crusty deposit buildups on any hoses or lines and then get the car hot and monitor. When i had a leak, it was from a small heater hose and it was a misty spray, i only found it when the engine was running.After you've corrected the problem and the engine is cool take radiator cap off and fill with 50/50 mix antifreeze. Also if you're going to change the pump out i would also change out the thermostat and replace the radiator cap if it looks a rusty and corroded. Can you rate this,,,,thanks!

I doubt its the water pump if it only overheats on the highway. City driving is the most heat producing in most cars. I would look for an airflow problem to the radiator. Do you have anything mounted on the front of the car that could disturb airflow such as an air-dam, bug shield or "bra" that isn't original equipment? Have you checked the fan mounted to the radiator to make sure it's working and spinning the right way towards the rear of the engine bay

Usually when water pumps go bad there is leakage from the bearing weep hole, though I have seen pumps with the impeller worn away by stop-leak type additives. It doesn't hurt to check but getting to the pump on many cars is a challenge.

it might be a hose about $10 not to hard to change.. if its the water pump its about $50 its not that easy you have to remove timing belt and make sure everything lines up right and depending how bad it overheated you could have other problems like a warped head or head gasket if you take it in for water pump it will cost about $250

check to see if electric fans turn on in front of radiator