Reminder to replace old radiator/coolant hoses: caused a spinout/near-wreck for me
#1
Race Director
Thread Starter
Reminder to replace old radiator/coolant hoses: caused a spinout/near-wreck for me
This is just a reminder to those guys racing older cars out there to change your radiator / coolant rubber hoses as preventative maintenance.
In 2004, my near-mint condition 1993 upper radiator hose sprung a leak on turn 1 at nelson ledges. The leak was such that it was hosing my front drivers side tire.
I did not notice this, and spun out on turn 1 at about 85 MPH. Amazingly, the car stayed on the track and no serious harm was done.
When I took it into the pits, I noticed the coolant leaking out (and also had some pissed off people bc they had to wait for the coolant leaked around the track to dry).
I could have ended up with a wrecked car due to a mechanical failure, but got lucky.
So be aware of worn rubber hoses/ components and the effect they could have on you out there on the track!
In 2004, my near-mint condition 1993 upper radiator hose sprung a leak on turn 1 at nelson ledges. The leak was such that it was hosing my front drivers side tire.
I did not notice this, and spun out on turn 1 at about 85 MPH. Amazingly, the car stayed on the track and no serious harm was done.
When I took it into the pits, I noticed the coolant leaking out (and also had some pissed off people bc they had to wait for the coolant leaked around the track to dry).
I could have ended up with a wrecked car due to a mechanical failure, but got lucky.
So be aware of worn rubber hoses/ components and the effect they could have on you out there on the track!
#2
Team Owner
Good to hear that you recovered from the spin and didn't hurt anything except for maybe the seat bottom disappearing
Always a good idea to closely check all of the hoses at the start of a season and also checking the clamps. Old lower hoses can collapse too and cause a lack of coolant flow.
It's a good idea to run only water in the cooling system for track days. Antifreeze can be slippery on a track surface as it may not readily evaporate after a spill. PITA to clean up too.
Always a good idea to closely check all of the hoses at the start of a season and also checking the clamps. Old lower hoses can collapse too and cause a lack of coolant flow.
It's a good idea to run only water in the cooling system for track days. Antifreeze can be slippery on a track surface as it may not readily evaporate after a spill. PITA to clean up too.
#3
Safety Car
Is this still an issue for the C5's and newer cars? I thought that hose manufacture has improved? I blew the main hose on my 1993 in May 2005. What was funny about that was that I was a newbie not driving hard and had just asked the mechanic about the hoses. He declared them great and ready to run
#4
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