Radiator coolant hoses
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 145
Likes: 11
Radiator coolant hoses
Looks like I have a major coolant leak. I parked my car at home and noticed water vapor coming out from the front of the car. I open the hood and find water everywhere. I had a radiator leak 7 months ago and replaced it out so I doubt the leak is coming from there. Maybe it's the water pump or the radiator hoses.
I gotta change out my hoses anyway because they are original and are soft. Any recommendations on where to get them from? Hoses from Advance Auto good enough? These hoses are more expensive then I would have guessed so I want to make sure I get a good set.
I gotta change out my hoses anyway because they are original and are soft. Any recommendations on where to get them from? Hoses from Advance Auto good enough? These hoses are more expensive then I would have guessed so I want to make sure I get a good set.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,491
Likes: 315
St. Jude Donor '15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21-'22
Some forum members have recommended these hoses:
https://www.mishimoto.com/automotive...tml?ymms=20486
https://www.mishimoto.com/automotive...tml?ymms=20486
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 79
Likes: 1
From: Callahan FL
Second vote for Rockauto, I just replaced all my hoses and the radiator with parts from there.
Here's a current discount code for an additional 5 % off. 8243503750610910 will expire on July 1, 2018.
It's still good for a few more days..
Here's a current discount code for an additional 5 % off. 8243503750610910 will expire on July 1, 2018.
It's still good for a few more days..
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 145
Likes: 11
Sweet! Thanks!
I still don't know where the leak is coming from. Still might be the hoses or the water pump. If it is the water pump, how hard is it to replace? And if I do change the water pump, should I change out the thermostat while I'm changing it out? I am going to change the hoses out no matter what because they are soft and will probably fail soon anyway.
So the way I am going to test where the leak is coming from, especially since it's a major leak, I am going to fill the cooling system with water and run the car and see where it is coming from.
I still don't know where the leak is coming from. Still might be the hoses or the water pump. If it is the water pump, how hard is it to replace? And if I do change the water pump, should I change out the thermostat while I'm changing it out? I am going to change the hoses out no matter what because they are soft and will probably fail soon anyway.
So the way I am going to test where the leak is coming from, especially since it's a major leak, I am going to fill the cooling system with water and run the car and see where it is coming from.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 145
Likes: 11
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 10,247
Likes: 888
From: Hickory NC
2025 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
St. Jude Donor '17 thru '26
Some forum members have recommended these hoses:
https://www.mishimoto.com/automotive...tml?ymms=20486
https://www.mishimoto.com/automotive...tml?ymms=20486
We have these on our C5. Our son, who builds 1,000hp race engines, has used these for years and never had a failure.
Very pleased with the ones on our car. While the regular Dayco or GM hoses would probably outlast me, I wanted to be sure I wouldn't be changing hoses again.
It is possible the water pump is good and that the gasket is bad, but be prepared to replace the pump. And, as you say, replace the belts then, too.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 877
Likes: 43
From: Surprise AZ
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 145
Likes: 11
We have these on our C5. Our son, who builds 1,000hp race engines, has used these for years and never had a failure.
Very pleased with the ones on our car. While the regular Dayco or GM hoses would probably outlast me, I wanted to be sure I wouldn't be changing hoses again.
It is possible the water pump is good and that the gasket is bad, but be prepared to replace the pump. And, as you say, replace the belts then, too.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2017
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Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 87,375
Likes: 1,593
From: Western NY
Generally, a bad pump will leak coolant from around the shaft that the pulley is attached to. There's a seal there, that can wear out/go bad. Gasket leaks usually occur around the point where the pump attaches to the engine block. If the gaskets are the source of your leak, it may be cheaper to just change the gaskets, but since you have to go through the ordeal of removing the pump anyway, you might as well replace the pump, and do the job only one time....
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,938
Likes: 498
From: Fords, NJ
Generally, a bad pump will leak coolant from around the shaft that the pulley is attached to. There's a seal there, that can wear out/go bad. Gasket leaks usually occur around the point where the pump attaches to the engine block. If the gaskets are the source of your leak, it may be cheaper to just change the gaskets, but since you have to go through the ordeal of removing the pump anyway, you might as well replace the pump, and do the job only one time....
100% You might as well being you already have it off.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 145
Likes: 11
Generally, a bad pump will leak coolant from around the shaft that the pulley is attached to. There's a seal there, that can wear out/go bad. Gasket leaks usually occur around the point where the pump attaches to the engine block. If the gaskets are the source of your leak, it may be cheaper to just change the gaskets, but since you have to go through the ordeal of removing the pump anyway, you might as well replace the pump, and do the job only one time....
The serpentine belt looks really good without any cracks on it so i'll probably not change it. I have 170K miles on my car... is that strange? I do see some cracks on the accessory belt though.
Pro
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 746
Likes: 65
From: Phoenix, AZ
If you do the water pump go get yourself a wooden dowel of the appropriate diameter, maybe 1/4"? Cut 4 pieces around 5" or 6" long. Use 2 on each water port to hold the gasket while you slide the pump into place.