How to Repair the Hose on a Return Radiator Reservoir
The return radiator reservoir is designed to contain the overflow from a hot radiator so that it can refill the radiator when the engine is cool. Without a return radiator reservoir, the coolant would evaporate or simply spill onto the ground and you would not have enough coolant for your engine the next time you drove. If the hose on your return radiator reservoir develops a leak, you need to fix it immediately. Fortunately, performing an emergency repair on the hose on a return radiator reservoir is easy. When you have the time, you should replace the entire hose.
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Instructions
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Loosen the hose clamps at each end of the hose by turning the screw on the clamp counterclockwise until you can push the clamp back onto the hose. Pull the hose off the return radiator reservoir and the radiator. Make sure you do this when the engine is cool so that there is no fluid in the hose.
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2
Cut the ends of the hose where it has been compressed by the hose clamp. Cut off just enough to remove the section that bears the marks from the pressure of the clamp. Leaks often develop through the clamp because the pressure on the rubber and the vibration of the engine will cause it to rub on the clamp and wear through.
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3
Bend the hose and examine it until you locate the source of the leak. It could be a wear spot, a pinhole or a larger hole.
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Cut a six-inch piece of emergency repair tape off the roll with a pair of scissors. There are many brands of emergency tape on the market and all are good. Make sure that the package specifically says that it can be used on radiator hoses.
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Wrap the hose to seal the leak. Start about an inch above the leak and begin wrapping the emergency repair tape down over and past the leak. Make sure that you overlap each pass of the tape an 1/8" on top of the previous wrap. When you have completely wrapped the leak, then squeeze the wrapped area with your hand to ensure a good bond.
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Reinstall the hose on the radiator and return radiator reservoir and tighten the hose clamps. Wait at least 20 minutes for the adhesive on the repair tape to set before driving.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep a roll of the tape and a pair of scissors in your glove box and stash a gallon of antifreeze in your trunk so that you are prepared for emergencies.
A leaking radiator hose should be replaced as soon as possible. Emergency repairs will not last forever, and damage could be caused to your engine should the cooling system fail.
