How to Get to the Coolant Return Hose

The coolant return hose on your vehicle connects the water pump and the radiator. The hose allows the pump to force low-temperature coolant from the radiator into the engine to keep it from overheating. Radiator hoses will eventually weaken and deteriorate from coolant pressure after years of service. You should regularly inspect the return hose on your vehicle and replace it when necessary. Before beginning, ensure that the engine and radiator are cool to the touch.

Things You'll Need

• Wrench
• Floor jack
• 2 jack stands
• 2 chocks
• Ratchet and socket
• Flashlight, if necessary
• Catch pan
• Standard screwdriver or slip-joint pliers
• New antifreeze, if necessary
• Distilled water, if necessary

Instructions

Checking the Return Hose

1. Open the hood, and disconnect the ground battery cable with a wrench.

2. Locate the return or lower radiator hose, which is connected to the bottom right- or left-hand side of the radiator.

3. Raise the front of your vehicle using a floor jack and two jack stands. Apply the parking brakes and chock the rear wheels.

4. Remove the splash shield under the engine, if your car is so equipped. Use a wrench and ratchet.

5. Inspect the lower radiator hose using a flashlight, if necessary. Look for signs of cracks, breaks, burns and chafes. Squeeze the hose at various points to detect hardening, and run your fingers along the hose to find swollen areas.

Replacing the Return Hose

1. Place a catch pan under the radiator drain valve. Remove the radiator cap, and open the radiator valve to remove the coolant. Then close the valve and return the radiator cap.

2. Remove the clamps at both ends of the radiator hose, using a standard screwdriver or pair of slip-joint pliers.

3. Detach the hose from the radiator and engine by twisting and pulling it from its fittings. Then remove the hose from the vehicle.

4. Attach the new hose to the radiator and engine; then tighten the clamps using the screwdriver or pliers.

5. Replace the engine splash shield, if your car is equipped with it, using the ratchet and socket.

6. Lower the vehicle and remove the chocks.

7. Refill the cooling system through the radiator neck. If necessary, prepare a new mixture with 50 percent antifreeze and 50 percent distilled water. Make sure that the coolant level in the reservoir is between the "Low" and "Full" marks.

8. Reconnect the ground battery cable, using the wrench.

9. Start the vehicle and let it warm up for five minutes. Check for leaks and add more coolant to the reservoir if necessary.

References

• "Modern Automotive Technology"; James E. Duffy; 2003