[Z06] Is this normal? Rad Hose
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 950
Likes: 0
From: Medicine Hat Alberta
Is this normal? Rad Hose
I am planning a Road trip to Lax in two weeks.......I took some shots of the cars this weekend and noticed this upper rad hose has shrunk....Should I be worried? TIA Hoobs
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,189
Likes: 2,128
From: Right Corner Pocket of Illinois
No-IL Events Coordinator
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
2019 C6 of Year Winner (appearance mods)
2018 C6 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '26
My 02's does that too Bart, probably should be replaced due to age. I wish I would have though of it when I had my fluids changed this spring. How big of a mess (how much coolant would you loose) in replacing this hose???
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
I don't think this is because the hose is old. The hoses should never be subjected to a vacuum if the radiator cap is working properly.
Under normal operation, only the lower hose is seeing suction from the water pump, and the top hose should be under pressure. As the engine cools, the radiator cap should provide vacuum relief so that the coolant can be drawn back into the engine without collapsing a hose. .
Check the radiator cap.
Under normal operation, only the lower hose is seeing suction from the water pump, and the top hose should be under pressure. As the engine cools, the radiator cap should provide vacuum relief so that the coolant can be drawn back into the engine without collapsing a hose. .
Check the radiator cap.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: Tustin Ca
I noticed that too on my Z06. So does that mean that I have a faulty radiator cap or does it mean that the cap wasn't tighten properly?
BTW I haven't noticed any cooling issues with the hose like that. Should I be concerned?
BTW I haven't noticed any cooling issues with the hose like that. Should I be concerned?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 35,189
Likes: 2,128
From: Right Corner Pocket of Illinois
No-IL Events Coordinator
2026 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2025 C6 of the Year Winner - Unmodified
2020 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
2019 C6 of Year Winner (appearance mods)
2018 C6 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '12 thru '26
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 10,554
Likes: 33
From: Not on either liberal coast.
I'd agree with the radiator cap being suspect. Make sure your coolant level in the reservoir is up to the correct level.
Are you experiencing any other cooling system issues? ...overheating, erratic gauge readings, etc.
Are you experiencing any other cooling system issues? ...overheating, erratic gauge readings, etc.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,847
Likes: 795
From: Longview Texas
If the cap was not tight, then it would let air in around the cap and the hoses would not collapse. It is if the cap does NOT let air in to relieve the vacuum that the hoses get sucked in. Even if you have not seen any overheating, the system is not working as designed. I would replace the cap just to be sure.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: Tustin Ca
If the cap was not tight, then it would let air in around the cap and the hoses would not collapse. It is if the cap does NOT let air in to relieve the vacuum that the hoses get sucked in. Even if you have not seen any overheating, the system is not working as designed. I would replace the cap just to be sure.
Thanks
