I would also replace all the coolant hoses since you will have the system drained.
You will need 3 gal of all aluminum safe coolant in the 50/50 pre-mix.

 

With a leaky expansion tank, how does it hold pressure?

 

It doesn't....

 

you know actually the coolant hoses all appear to be relatively new.... the hardware on them as well.

 

If hoses are both hot, one would believe that hot water is getting into core, perhaps flap vent is not open. When you get ready to be messy, take off the heater hoses under the hood and flush through the core both ways with garden hose, this will reveal clogged core or not. Standard metric/SAE socket set and screw driver are about it. You can tell if hot hose is water or just radiant heat from engine by touching other hoses nearby. Usually if they are hot, there's water in them. IR thermometer is a nice toy to have.

 

so i think I found the problem with my CC....yes that is duct tape someone tried to fix it with........