Upper Radiator Hose - leaking, hard to replace?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 27
From: Minneapolis MN
Upper Radiator Hose - leaking, hard to replace?
I took the Vette out from storage today since it's such a nice day. Well, after starting it up I notice a huge antifreeze leak from the front crossmember. The upper radiator hose is leaking. Is this hard to replace? Do I have to drain coolant to replace it? I remember hearing about some spring inside the hose? I knew I should've replaced it last summer! :cuss
[Modified by FlyboyZR1, 10:19 AM 12/14/2002]
[Modified by FlyboyZR1, 10:19 AM 12/14/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
Re: Upper Radiator Hose - leaking, hard to replace? (FlyboyZR1)
It's easy. Squeeze the upper hose and if you feel/hear coolant moving, then you will have to drain some. After replacing the hose, you will need to "burp" the system by letting the engine idle with the rad cap loose until you get to the thermostat opening temp. Slightly race the engine by pulling on the throttle cable stop, remove rad cap and add coolant to the filler neck, replace radiator cap and THEN let engine back to normal idle. DON'T warm the engine and then remove rad cap or you will get scalded when boiling coolant shoots out of the filler. Loose rad cap will not allow pressure to build up.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 1,550
Likes: 27
From: Minneapolis MN
Re: Upper Radiator Hose - leaking, hard to replace? (jfb)
Squeeze the upper hose and if you feel/hear coolant moving, then you will have to drain some.
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 4,212
Likes: 10
From: Sun City West Az
Re: Upper Radiator Hose - leaking, hard to replace? (FlyboyZR1)
Do yourself a favor and replace them all. If one goes, ther rest aren't far behind. Besides, isn't it better to do the job in the comfort of the garage rather than on the side of the road? :jester
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 83,381
Likes: 87
From: Boston, MA
Now the lower hose, that will be interesting. :)
