Checking Your Coolant Hoses
*EASY*
It is important that coolant hoses remain in good condition to avoid sudden or gradual coolant leaks that could leave your vehicle stranded. You should inspect all coolant hoses monthly. This includes the upper and lower radiator hoses, both inlet heater hose and outlet heater hose, the coolant recovery reservoir hose, the water pump bypass hose, and any additional hoses on the engine block.
Use the following procedure for your hose inspection:
- Park the vehicle on level ground with the engine OFF, the parking brake engaged, and the transmission in PARK (for automatic) or REVERSE (for manual). If the engine has been run recently, let it cool. Raise the hood.
- Identify all relevant hoses using your owner's manual if necessary. Examine each for defects like abrasions, cuts, cracks, bulges, leaks, oil stains or soft spots.
- Grasp each hose fully in your hand to be sure it is firm. The hose should be pliable but not soft. Hoses deteriorate from the inside out and may look fine. That is why it is necessary to squeeze them. Squeezing also helps identify hairline cracks.
- Try to roll a portion of the hose back and forth between your thumb and forefinger.
Test it at the ends, then the middle. If it feels soft towards the ends and perhaps cracked on the inside, it has deteriorated and should no longer be used.- Check the tightness of your hose clamps. If any are loose, tighten them, but do not distort any hose fittings.
- If a hose is spongy, swollen, cut, cracked, chafed, burned, or hardened, it should be replaced.
The latter four conditions can lead to sudden rupture, especially under heat or pressure. A soft hose usually means the rubber is deteriorating on the inside. When this happens, small rubber particles could enter the coolant and clog the radiator. A soft hose may also mean it has become oil soaked or worn on the inside due to rust or debris. Correct a frayed hose end by replacing the clamp; frayed hoses allow coolant to leak out when the engine is hot.- Do not forget to inspect the small hose connecting the radiator filler neck with the coolant recovery reservoir. The hose should not be kinked, cracked or otherwise damaged.
SYSTEMS
COOLANT HOSES
PROPER CARE
CHANGING YOUR COOLANT HOSES