Rock Hard Radiator Hoses...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 5
From: Lake Villa IL
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Rock Hard Radiator Hoses...
I'm not sure what to make of this. My upper and lower radiator hoses are rock hard. The car has coolant, the heater blows hot air when requested.
The car doesn't appear to be overheating. But I relocated my temp sensor to the water outlet after the rebuild (the Vortec heads wouldn't accept the sensor).
My fear, is that the thermostat is locked closed, and that's why the hoses feel as they do. In the past, they've always been soft, and you could almost feel the coolant going through them. Am I crazy? Is there a problem here?
Thanks. :crazy:
The car doesn't appear to be overheating. But I relocated my temp sensor to the water outlet after the rebuild (the Vortec heads wouldn't accept the sensor).
My fear, is that the thermostat is locked closed, and that's why the hoses feel as they do. In the past, they've always been soft, and you could almost feel the coolant going through them. Am I crazy? Is there a problem here?
Thanks. :crazy:
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Re: Rock Hard Radiator Hoses... (joeveto)
This is just a guess but, You may have been feeling of the hoses when the thermostat was open. Maybe it is closed now. Try running the car up to temp and then see if the hoses arent soft.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 5,635
Likes: 4
From: Orlando Floriduh
Re: Rock Hard Radiator Hoses... (joeveto)
They should be hard after the system builds pressure. The pressure cap maintains the pressure at whatever the rating of the cap is. With 15psi the hoses will be very hard. If you run the car without the cap then there will be no pressure and soft hoses. :cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: Rock Hard Radiator Hoses... (joeveto)
After the rebuild you probably sealed up some internal leaks and such. Now the sys is building and holding pressure which is a good sign. Just make sure all yur hoses are in good shape so they dont blow out. Check every inch of every hose, rad and heater hoses, especially where they might cross over and touch things. Sometimes they will chafe and cut, then eventually blow out. I wrap my hoses in with cut sections of hoses split down the middle and secure in place with zip ties. This protects the hose from being cut where it contacts other things.
Senior Member since 1492
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 87,936
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From: Just because I'm paranoid doesn't mean people aren't out to get me...
St. Jude Donor '09
Re: Rock Hard Radiator Hoses... (79VetteMike)
Stop squeezing on your hoses and they will probably stay soft... :lol:
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 5
From: Lake Villa IL
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Re: Rock Hard Radiator Hoses... (joeveto)
Thanks guys.
It's weird, but once I start squeezing, I just can't stop...
:thumbs:
It's weird, but once I start squeezing, I just can't stop...
:thumbs:
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