Heater Outlet Hose Question
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Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2026
Posts: 29
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Heater Outlet Hose Question
While changing the water pump, I decided it would be best to replace the heater hose that leads to the pump. I noticed that this hose has two tees and that the hose and tees seem to be one molded unit. Is this the case? Or, can the hoses be removed from the tees? They're not like any tees I've seen before, going around the hoses rather than the hoses fitting around them.
Second, there's a metal line going from the bottom of the tee next to the pump to under the car. Is this for the oil cooler option?
Third, what sadistic bastard invented the hose clamps that you clinch together to undo and then put said clamps on the most inaccessible hoses?
Second, there's a metal line going from the bottom of the tee next to the pump to under the car. Is this for the oil cooler option?
Third, what sadistic bastard invented the hose clamps that you clinch together to undo and then put said clamps on the most inaccessible hoses?
Pro
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 509
Likes: 15
From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
When I changed my water pump on my 1985, I was thinking the same to replace the heater hose that connncts to the water pump.
With the belt tensioner, a/c pump and a/c bracket still in place, it is extremely difficult to see and/or determine where exactly the hoses from the water pump go. From what I recall, at the "T" one hose goes to the aliminum/stainless oil cooler lines that go under the oil pan to the oil cooler above the oil filter on the driver's side. The other line goes to the heater core shutoff valve leading to the firewall on the passenger side.
My solution, I removed the water pump and then the belt tightener, A/C and A/C Bracket. It is at this point that you can now clearly see where all the hoses from the water pump go. More importantly, it is now possible to access the "T" and all the hoses and clamps for which I replaced. Additionally, I replaced the lower radiator hose and clamp too while I was at it.
I hope this may be of some help.
With the belt tensioner, a/c pump and a/c bracket still in place, it is extremely difficult to see and/or determine where exactly the hoses from the water pump go. From what I recall, at the "T" one hose goes to the aliminum/stainless oil cooler lines that go under the oil pan to the oil cooler above the oil filter on the driver's side. The other line goes to the heater core shutoff valve leading to the firewall on the passenger side.
My solution, I removed the water pump and then the belt tightener, A/C and A/C Bracket. It is at this point that you can now clearly see where all the hoses from the water pump go. More importantly, it is now possible to access the "T" and all the hoses and clamps for which I replaced. Additionally, I replaced the lower radiator hose and clamp too while I was at it.
I hope this may be of some help.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2019
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One of the best things I did was uninstall the entire oil cooler system and all of its plumbing, hoses, pipe and everything.
So glad that all of that tedious mess is gone.
I use synthetic oil anyway. None of that stuff is really needed at all.
It acts, in effect, as more of an oil warmer rather than a cooler anyway s far as regular roadway driving goes.
And with all of that stuff gone, I'm able to use a longer oil filter, which holds a little more oil as well.
So glad that all of that tedious mess is gone.
I use synthetic oil anyway. None of that stuff is really needed at all.
It acts, in effect, as more of an oil warmer rather than a cooler anyway s far as regular roadway driving goes.
And with all of that stuff gone, I'm able to use a longer oil filter, which holds a little more oil as well.
Last edited by Natty C; May 18, 2026 at 11:20 PM.
