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I thought I would give you guys something to discuss about your car.
For the last month I have had a coolant leak. I kept ignoring it because it wasn't that bad. When I went to address it on a Sunday, I found it was more difficult to correct than necessary.
The coolant line on top of the radiator has a 1/2" x 1/2" x 3/8" T connector. After 140K miles the T connector has pretty much disintegrated. I change out all fluids every 50K and as toxic as coolant is, I am sure it just destroyed the elements holding the T connector together. I searched for only the T Connector with no luck. All the hoses, clamps and connector come as one GM part number. The cost was 70.00 from the local dealership.
Pretty sure that is NOT what you want to use.
It might be OK for your sprinkler system but you have to account for the high pressure and heat of your cooling system.
That fitting will be fine pressure-wise but the max temp rating is 150 F, which is really not high enough for the cooling system. But I absolutely agree with your thinking. I'm sure a T fitting with those dimensions can be found that will replace the factory part, and do it for a couple of dollars.
That fitting will be fine pressure-wise but the max temp rating is 150 F, which is really not high enough for the cooling system. But I absolutely agree with your thinking. I'm sure a T fitting with those dimensions can be found that will replace the factory part, and do it for a couple of dollars.
Check out Summit Racing they have lots of different fittings like these. In my option if the fitting was falling apart the hose might be also so I would just replace all the three hoses that come as a assembly from GM. I think price is about 50 bucks.
Last edited by okie08vette; 07-29-2015 at 07:44 PM.
after figuring out what hose it was I capped each end with pieces from a wall hanging kit. the screw and plastic piece flared just enough to seal both side hoses..normal temps on the 6 miles back home of 192 degrees and no steam or leaks.
Does ANYONE have the part number for the entire hose and T assembly? Cannot seem to locate online as I may be calling it the wrong thing. I tried Coolant overflow return hose...no luck
my 08 Z06 has 217k miles..sooooo not a bad run for it if its the original piece as I am the 2nd owner and not for sure.
Last edited by JStubblefield; 12-24-2015 at 01:49 AM.
after figuring out what hose it was I capped each end with pieces from a wall hanging kit. the screw and plastic piece flared just enough to seal both side hoses..normal temps on the 6 miles back home of 192 degrees and no steam or leaks.
Does ANYONE have the part number for the entire hose and T assembly? Cannot seem to locate online as I may be calling it the wrong thing. I tried Coolant overflow return hose...no luck
my 08 Z06 has 217k miles..sooooo not a bad run for it if its the original piece as I am the 2nd owner and not for sure.
thank you sir!
finally found them on gm parts direct a bit cheaper...also found a BRASS Tee that 1/2 on the sides and 3/8 on the bottom to upgrade with!
I also experienced this failure at 140k. I replaced the fitting with a brass one and haven't had any issues since. Looked exactly like the picture above
That is really very good information, as coolant leaks are hard to find sometime. I searched for my leak for weeks, before I finally found a drip from behind the pump pulley. I replaced the pump, and at the same time replaced all the hoses to silicone, which has the particular section in question, as a molded one piece design.
That was at 30K miles. Now at 75K+ and have had no further leaks or issues.
This forum rocks with such great sharing of ideas, help and solutions to various issues and concerns.
Thanks for the write-up and the video, good stuff. My '05 (29K miles) has the original hoses and I've been thinking of going silicone. I have that same "occasional drop" in the drip pan, mostly after not using the car for awhile. I read somewhere that not driving the car will cause things (seals, hoses) to shrink a bit and leak, I'm thinking that might be my problem cause I can't find the leak anywhere under the car. Had the coolant changed 5 years ago so time for another change, I am thinking hoses and thermostat while I'm down there. Encouraging to see all you high milers still have the original hoses on yours, 140K is great for original stuff.
There are a few sites on the net that sell push on brass tees that will work.. This is the best route since with brass you never have to worry about failure again, at least not tee failure......WW
That fitting will be fine pressure-wise but the max temp rating is 150 F, which is really not high enough for the cooling system. But I absolutely agree with your thinking. I'm sure a T fitting with those dimensions can be found that will replace the factory part, and do it for a couple of dollars.
my 2008 Z06 was completely stock when I got it. no reason for me to think it had ever been replaced. Iam the 2nd owner and I am at 218k miles! So atleast GM got that part right...lol
on my c6z the left and right are 1/2 and the bottom is 3/8.. this is how i mended it until parts came in. i reduced an all 1/2 tee down to 3/8 us
ing a straight 1/2 to 3/8 reducer and some hose.
Thanks for the write-up and the video, good stuff. My '05 (29K miles) has the original hoses and I've been thinking of going silicone. I have that same "occasional drop" in the drip pan, mostly after not using the car for awhile. I read somewhere that not driving the car will cause things (seals, hoses) to shrink a bit and leak, I'm thinking that might be my problem cause I can't find the leak anywhere under the car. Had the coolant changed 5 years ago so time for another change, I am thinking hoses and thermostat while I'm down there. Encouraging to see all you high milers still have the original hoses on yours, 140K is great for original stuff.
I replaced my Radiator hoses this month with Gates hoses.71000 miles.
07-29-2015, 05:52 PM
Coolant Return Hose Failure
...WW
So atleast GM got that part right...lol
