Rick's Free Auto Repair Advice

Coolant Hose Removal Made With These Tools

Remove coolant hoses quickly with these coolant hose removal tools

Removing an old radiator or heater hose can be a real pain. After a while, the rubber welds itself to the connection. If you’re going to replace a coolant hose, you can just cut through the old hose. But if you plan to reuse it, you need these coolant hose removal tools to zip it off in less than a minute.

Just slide the pointed end under the lip of the hose and circle it around the connection. The tool breaks through the crud and allows you to pull the hose off. These babies have saved my butt many times.

Assortment of hose removal tools by OTC 4521 Hose Removal Tool, Astro 9502 Hose Removal Hook Set, Lisle 80380 Hose Remover Set, SG Tool Aid 13860 Hose Removal Tool, TEKTON 34435 10-12-Inch Long Reach Hose Ring Pliers, ABN Flexible Hose Clamp Pliers For Fuel Oil and Water

Radiator and heater hose removal tools

How to use a coolant hose removal tool

Loosen The Hose Clamps
Using a screwdriver or small socket, loosen the hose clamps. If the clamps are the spring type, use a pliers or a spring clamp removal tool. Slide the clamp away from the neck of the radiator.

Insert the Hose Removal Tool
Insert the hose removal tool between the hose and the fitting or radiator neck. Position the tool’s tip against the hose and apply gentle pressure to create separation.

Work Around the Hose
Continue to work around the circumference of the hose, gradually loosening it from the fitting. If the hose is particularly stubborn, you may need to reposition the tool or apply lubricant to aid in removal.

cooling hose removal tools
Tips to reinstalling a used or new coolant hose

Most DIYers twist and push a new replacement coolant hose on to the dry fitting. But if you’re installing new coolant hoses onto heater core tubes, pushing and twisting can break the solder joints and leave you with a leaking heater core; a HUGE and expensive repair job. To avoid damage and make the job much easier, simply dip your finger into fresh engine coolant and coat the inside the hose with engine coolant.

The coolant will provide enough lubrication to slide the hose right on, And, the coolant is 100% compatible with the rubber hose.

Do NOT use any petroleum based lubricant like grease or even WD-40. Those products can deteriorate the rubber.

Reinstall the spring clamp or work drive clamp.

WARNING: Carmakers use spring clamps when clamping a rubber hose to a plastic radiator neck. They do this to allow for the plastic radiator neck expansion and contraction. Worm drive clamps don’t expand in the same way as spring clamps. If you toss the spring clamp and tighten a worn drive clamp tightly, you can crack the radiator neck as it heats up. There’s a reason carmakers use spring clamps. Don’t second guess them by replacing with a worm drive clamp.
hose clamp pliers set
Buy this hose clamp pliers set for $40 at amazon.com

coolant hose removal tools
Buy this coolant hose removal tool set from amazon.com for $29.

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© 2012 Rick Muscoplat

Posted on by Rick Muscoplat



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