How to Change a Heater Hose on a 1992 Chevy Lumina
The passenger compartment heater in your 1992 Chevy Lumina is powered by excess heat from the engine. As the radiator fluid circulates throughout the engine, it traps the heat from the engine combustion. This heat is then exchanged in the atmostphere through the radiator. When you switch on the heater in your Lumina, however, it routes some of this fluid through a heater hose and into the passenger compartment to warm the cabin. Changing the heater hose in a 1992 Chevy Lumina isn't a difficult project. Just be sure to drain the radiator before you can begin.
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Things You'll Need
- Pliers
- Drain pan
- Flashlight
- Flat bladed screwdriver
- Phillips screwdriver
- Sharp knife
- Heater hose
- Hose clamps (2)
- Antifreeze
- Distilled water
Instructions
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Move your1992 Chevy Lumina to a location that lets you work around the engine compartment without interference. Once positioned, shift the Lumina into park and cut the engine. Set the parking brake. Give the engine 30 minutes to cool off.
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Open the hood and prop it open. Turn the radiator cap one-half of a turn counterclockwise. This will release the pressure on the tank. Some steam might escape. This is normal. Continue pressing down on the radiator cap as you turn until all the steam comes out of the radiator.
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3
Drain the radiator. Take the flashlight and use it to locate the radiator drain plug. The drain plug on the 1992 Chevy Lumina is located on the driver's side of the radiator. Place the drain pan underneath the drain plug. Unscrew the plug counterclockwise with the pliers. Let the fluid drain into the pan. Close the plug.
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4
Find the heater hose you want to change. They are located at the back of the engine. There will be two hoses leading from the engine block to nipples on the front of the passenger compartment.
Loosen the clamps on the hose you want to change. Cut the hose lengthwise and pull it off the nipples at either end.
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Use the old hose to measure the correct length for your new heater hose. Loosely attach the hose clamps to either end of the new hose. Slip one end of the hose over the nipple on the engine block. Connect the other end of the hose to the inlet nipple on the passenger compartment. Tighten the hose clamps.
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6
Replace the radiator fluid. Refill the radiator with a half-and-half mixture of antifreeze and distilled water. Start the Lumina. After the engine has reached operating speed, about 15 minutes or so, top of the radiator with more distilled water. Replace the radiator cap.
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Tips & Warnings
Only use distilled water in the radiator. Normal tap water can leave mineral deposits that clog the engine.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit radiator humor image by John Sfondilias from Fotolia.com
