How to Replace the Heater Hose on a Car
Over time the rubber material on a car's heater hoses may crack or even break. When this occurs, the hoses will need replacement. The heater hoses are easy to identify, as they are two hoses that come from the radiator and into the heater core. The hoses will be attached to two short metal connection tubes located near the vehicle's interior compartment wall, typically near the passenger side of the vehicle. This metal partition is also called the engine firewall. Only a couple of hand tools are required to perform the heater hose replacement.
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Things You'll Need
- Plastic bucket
- Screwdriver
- Heater hose material (same diameter as original hoses)
- Pocketknife
- Antifreeze
Instructions
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1
Drain the radiator of coolant. Place the plastic bucket under the lower drain plug of the radiator. Open the valve and allow the level of the coolant, inside the radiator, to drain below the heater hose outlets on the backside of the radiator housing. Be sure to perform this task only when the engine is cool.
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2
Remove the top heater hose first. Loosen both of the hose clamps on either end of the hose with the screwdriver. Pull the hose from the ends of the metal tubes on both the radiator housing outlet and the heater core inlet.
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3
Lay the older hose next to the new hose material. Cut the new hose to the same length as the older hose, with the pocketknife. Remove the hose clamps from the old hose.
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4
Slide the hose clamps over the two ends of the new hose. Push the new hose over the metal tubes on both the heater core inlet and the radiator housing outlet. Tighten the hose clamps with the screwdriver. Perform the same tasks on the other heater hose, in the same order.
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5
Fill the radiator with new antifreeze according to the manufacturer's specifications. Run the engine and allow it to come up to temperature.
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6
Check for leaks at the hose connection points. Double-check the coolant level. You may have to add more to the coolant reservoir after the engine has cooled down.
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Tips & Warnings
Follow all local regulations for the disposal of old antifreeze.
It may be against local laws to pour antifreeze down any municipal drainage system
