How to Fix Radiator Hose Leaks
The radiator in a car is a very important part of the cooling system. Radiators operate by passing coolant through the engine; in the engine the coolant is heated, then passed back through the radiator, where it is then cooled. When the radiator hose has a leak, it causes the coolant to leak out and the engine to overheat.
If you have a leaky hose, the best remedy is to replace it as soon as possible to avoid further damage. If you are on the side of the road, you can use duct tape to patch the leak until you drive to the nearest automobile shop. If you are able to replace the hose yourself, it takes only a few steps and can save you a lot of money.
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Things You'll Need
- Garden hose
- Screwdriver
- Drain pan and cover
- New radiator hose specific to the car make and model
- New coolant
Instructions
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1
Find the location of the leak so you know which radiator hose to replace. Using a garden hose, wash down the radiator and hoses. Start the engine and look for the leak.
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2
Wait for the engine to cool down for at least 20 minutes before beginning work under the hood of the car.
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3
Place the drain pan on the ground underneath the radiator. Remove the radiator drain plug to drain the coolant. Let the engine coolant completely drain into the pan. Cover the engine coolant, and keep it in a safe location. Engine coolant is extremely toxic, and its sweet smell attracts animals.
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4
Using a screwdriver, loosen the hose clamp on each side of the leaky hose. If the clamp is hard to remove, you can use penetrating oil to lubricate and loosen the clamp.
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5
Remove the leaky radiator hose; twist and pull where it connects to the radiator and engine. Remove the hose clamps from the leaky hose and put them on the new hose.
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6
Lubricate the inside of the radiator hose by spraying some penetrating oil into each end. Attach the new radiator hose to the engine and radiator. Secure and tighten the hose clamps.
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7
Replace the radiator drain plug. Add coolant to the radiator system. Rapid filling will not allow air to escape from the cooling system, so to ensure proper filling, add the coolant slowly.
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