Lower Radiator Hose

[tx399999]

I got around to working on the coolant system today but I got hung up trying to put the lower radiator hose on. Is there a trick to get it on or is it just a matter of the rubber not being pliable enough in the cold.

 

[doghead]

Which hose are you trying to install? Your old one, and new Napa hose(2 different numbers are listed in the cross reference), or a NOS hose from a MV retailer?

 

[tx399999]

I'm trying to put the OD Iron lower hose on. The old one was leaking, so I'm replacing all the hoses, thermostat, and adding a coolant filter. I trimmed a couple of inches off the new hose to match the old one, but I fought with it for about an hour with no luck.

 

[clinto]

They are a pain in the backside. I hook the lower end to the radiator from underneath, snaking my hand up there to wiggle it around onto the radiator.

 

[TIGERFANS2]

I've been considering changing mine out (just because), mayhap a warm June day........

 

[baxter]

Thier is nothing easy about changing the lower hose it I did mine last winter because it was leeking I should have waited till summer you just have to keep working at it.

Vaughn

 

[deuceman51]

I put some grease on the inside of the hose, just enough to help lubricate it. Usually that trick helps it slide much easier. As the others said, it is a pain in the you know what, but just keep wiggling it and it will go on.

 

[tx399999]

Mine started leaking on me about a week ago, and I've lost about two gallons of coolant since then. I'll be glad when I have it fixed, but I guess i would have been just as glad in a few months.

 

[SCSG-G4]

Unless it's got abad place in it, you might just have a loose fit. Mine did that last year when it got real cold (after fixing the radiator the previous summer). Turned out I needed to tighten the clamp another 1/4 turn because the copper/brass of the radiator contracted more than the steel of the clamp. Try it before you swap out the hose!

 

[Divemaster920]

I found it easy...I just let the front guard down and loosened the radiator mounts for some movement.

 

[runk]

I had to do all my hoses and belts last month, changed out the leaky heater shutoff valves, and added a coolant filter. I ended up pulling off the passenger side light assembly as well as the grill, which really helped access of the lower radiator hose, the heater hookups, and alternator belt tensioning bolts. If you loosen the alternator, and swing it out, that also improves access to the lower hose, but loosening the alternator is its own challenge !

 

[scrapman]

It's just faster & easier to remove the gen/alt out of the way altogether.

 

[SasquatchSanta]

One of the things you'll find in cold country is after changing a hose it will leak when the weather gets cold. IMHO the only way to keep them from weeping is to re-tichten them on the coldest morning of the winter.

 

[tx399999]

I got it on and the system filled. It ended up being less work to just pull the radiator and the hose slid right on. I got all the hoses replaced and the coolant filter installed, so I shouldn't have to mess with the coolant system again anytime soon.

 

[cattlerepairman]

One of the things you'll find in cold country is after changing a hose it will leak when the weather gets cold. IMHO the only way to keep them from weeping is to re-tichten them on the coldest morning of the winter.

This is so true! I have a Volkswagen TDI and added a coolant heater. It does exactly that. The clamps have to be ape-tight or the hose will not cope with the extreme temperature swings.

 

[Scarecrow1]

I have had good luck with using dish detergent on the inside and letting the end of the new hose sit in very hot water before I put the detergent on ....then it slides right on ... no problems at all .....