C4 General Discussion General C4 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech

Hoses

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 6, 2015 | 01:35 PM
  #1  
tbirdsps's Avatar
tbirdsps
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 888
Likes: 4
From: Ridgecrest Ca
Default Hoses

My 1990 Corvette with a mfg date of 01/90 has upper and lower radiator hoses date coded 12/89. After 25 years and 106,000 miles should I worry?
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2015 | 01:40 PM
  #2  
RollaMo-LT4's Avatar
RollaMo-LT4
Race Director
20 Year Member
St. Jude 15 Year Donor
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 11,772
Likes: 177
From: Rolla Missouri
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
St. Jude Donor '10 thru '25
Default

They made it this far, so whats a few more miles.
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2015 | 02:29 PM
  #3  
kenpeindl's Avatar
kenpeindl
Racer
 
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 402
Likes: 44
From: Pittsburgh PA
Default

Just looking through some of the new postings and seen that your C4 has a mfg date is 1/90 so does mine. It is also white with the saddle interior and was originally from Las Vegas. The last 6 of my VIN number is 108356.
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2015 | 02:36 PM
  #4  
tbirdsps's Avatar
tbirdsps
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 888
Likes: 4
From: Ridgecrest Ca
Default

Originally Posted by kenpeindl
Just looking through some of the new postings and seen that your C4 has a mfg date is 1/90 so does mine. It is also white with the saddle interior and was originally from Las Vegas. The last 6 of my VIN number is 108356.
108595 here, black interior. Originally bought in Valencia, Ca. Just another 239 later that month.
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2015 | 02:40 PM
  #5  
corvetteronw's Avatar
corvetteronw
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
St. Jude 10 Year Donor
Liked
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Default

In one of the C4 classes I attended the speaker stated that the upper radiator hose bursting on the C4s along with the trash that accumulates between the AC radiator and the car's radiator were the 2 worst problems in the cooling system.
He recommended changing out the upper hose before each summer's cruising season. He said that under hood heat was the problem.
Since the newest of the C4s is approaching 20 years of age then all owners should be aware of this problem.
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2015 | 02:45 PM
  #6  
eldertek's Avatar
eldertek
Advanced
 
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 71
Likes: 3
Default Hoses

Anybody chime in the Difficulty in both of these projects?
Is this something a weekend mechanic like me can do?
Thanks.
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2015 | 02:45 PM
  #7  
John A. Marker's Avatar
John A. Marker
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
Default

I would be concerned. You don't want a hose to go and end up in a bad situation. Change them all. You can find them at Rockauto at a reasonable cost.
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2015 | 02:45 PM
  #8  
tbirdsps's Avatar
tbirdsps
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 888
Likes: 4
From: Ridgecrest Ca
Default

Originally Posted by corvetteronw
In one of the C4 classes I attended the speaker stated that the upper radiator hose bursting on the C4s along with the trash that accumulates between the AC radiator and the car's radiator were the 2 worst problems in the cooling system.
He recommended changing out the upper hose before each summer's cruising season. He said that under hood heat was the problem.
Since the newest of the C4s is approaching 20 years of age then all owners should be aware of this problem.
I cleaned out the radiator right after I got it. Horribly neglected. I've been on a total of 650 miles on road trips since May. The only reason I mentioned it was "tongue in cheek" because I'm ordering all new underhood hoses for it and flushing/changing coolant which has been in there for 3.5 years. Dexcool.

Name:  002.JPG
Views: 367
Size:  117.8 KB
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Aug 6, 2015 | 02:49 PM
  #9  
kenpeindl's Avatar
kenpeindl
Racer
 
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 402
Likes: 44
From: Pittsburgh PA
Default

Originally Posted by tbirdsps
108595 here, black interior. Originally bought in Valencia, Ca. Just another 239 later that month.
They are like 2 to 3 days apart depending on what the daily production numbers were back then. Yours is the closes I have found so far.

Thanks
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2015 | 02:51 PM
  #10  
kenpeindl's Avatar
kenpeindl
Racer
 
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 402
Likes: 44
From: Pittsburgh PA
Default

Also my rad hose (at least the upper) has already been replaced prior to my owning the car. It just turned 60,000.
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2015 | 03:05 PM
  #11  
tbirdsps's Avatar
tbirdsps
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 888
Likes: 4
From: Ridgecrest Ca
Default

Originally Posted by kenpeindl
Also my rad hose (at least the upper) has already been replaced prior to my owning the car. It just turned 60,000.
Close in number but at opposite ends of the country. Mine sure likely took a train ride, yours likely by truck.

BTW my wife is from New Kensington, Pa.
Reply
Old Aug 6, 2015 | 03:10 PM
  #12  
Aardwolf's Avatar
Aardwolf
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,961
Likes: 707
From: WI
Default

Mine were fine!



Changed them when I bought the car lol
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2015 | 03:34 AM
  #13  
Cliff Harris's Avatar
Cliff Harris
Race Director
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 10,036
Likes: 346
From: Anaheim CA
Default

I changed my upper and lower radiator hoses when the car was about 20 years old. The original hoses were both fine and I don't think they really needed to be replaced.
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2015 | 08:01 AM
  #14  
davewhtt's Avatar
davewhtt
Pro
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 648
Likes: 6
From: weems va
Default

Originally Posted by tbirdsps
My 1990 Corvette with a mfg date of 01/90 has upper and lower radiator hoses date coded 12/89. After 25 years and 106,000 miles should I worry?
I cant remember a radiator hose letting go while sitting in my yard,always happens when least expected.Change them yesterday.
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2015 | 11:27 AM
  #15  
John A. Marker's Avatar
John A. Marker
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
Default

My top hose on the 95 had been replaced at one time, don't know when. But it blew as my friend was driving it on the autocross course. He shifted from 1st to 2nd and in 4 seconds we lost 1.5 gallons of coolant.

Replace the hoses.
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2015 | 12:33 PM
  #16  
Lloyd Smale's Avatar
Lloyd Smale
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 5,761
Likes: 47
From: munising MI USA
Default

radiator hoses can look just fine and be shot. the hoses reinforcing layer can break down inside the rubber and you will never know till it pops. 10 years is about all id trust them for.
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2015 | 03:01 PM
  #17  
tbirdsps's Avatar
tbirdsps
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 888
Likes: 4
From: Ridgecrest Ca
Default

Originally Posted by John A. Marker
I would be concerned. You don't want a hose to go and end up in a bad situation. Change them all. You can find them at Rockauto at a reasonable cost.
$153 less shipping from Rock Auto for everything. I'll probably order sometime next week. It's time for a coolant change anyway. 3+ years on the Dexcool.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Hoses

Old Aug 7, 2015 | 11:34 PM
  #18  
Crossed Flags Fan's Avatar
Crossed Flags Fan
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 3,249
Likes: 545
From: Land of the free, home of the brave...
Default

Originally Posted by tbirdsps
$153 less shipping from Rock Auto for everything. I'll probably order sometime next week. It's time for a coolant change anyway. 3+ years on the Dexcool.
Way to go - money well spent.
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2015 | 10:38 AM
  #19  
tbirdsps's Avatar
tbirdsps
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 888
Likes: 4
From: Ridgecrest Ca
Default

Update, found that the heater core is leaking. Oh well, total cooling system work now. Ordered all the parts from Rock Auto. Now waiting for cooler weather.
Reply
Old Aug 17, 2015 | 04:19 PM
  #20  
kenpeindl's Avatar
kenpeindl
Racer
 
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 402
Likes: 44
From: Pittsburgh PA
Default

Originally Posted by tbirdsps
Update, found that the heater core is leaking. Oh well, total cooling system work now. Ordered all the parts from Rock Auto. Now waiting for cooler weather.
Common repair. Luckily for me it mine was replaced by the previous owner along with the water pump.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:48 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE