What to do when heater hose connector breaks?
Using a small reciprocating saw or hacksaw blade, cut the top and bottom of the connector just until you hit pipe. You can split it with a flat blade screwdriver if it doesn’t come apart easily. When one connector breaks, the other is usually not far behind.
What happens when a GMC heater connector breaks?
The problem with this is that over time, the plastic becomes brittle and breaks off. Because the connector breaks in the middle, you can’t just simply slide the hose over the heater barb and toss on a worm-clamp. Instead, you have to remove the remaining plastic connector.
How do you disconnect a water line from a heater?
Much like a fuel line disconnect, the water hose tool is two half-moons with tabs that slide in behind the connector. Pop the tool behind the connector, and then pull of the hose to remove it. The tool remains on the pipe, don’t forget to take it off before installing a new hose.
When did GM stop using heater hose disconnects?
All GM trucks and SUVs used plastic heater hose connectors (disconnects) for the heater hoses from 1999-2014. The problem with this is that over time, the plastic becomes brittle and breaks off. Because the connector breaks in the middle, you can’t just simply slide the hose over the heater barb and toss on a worm-clamp.
Using a small reciprocating saw or hacksaw blade, cut the top and bottom of the connector just until you hit pipe. You can split it with a flat blade screwdriver if it doesn’t come apart easily. When one connector breaks, the other is usually not far behind.
The problem with this is that over time, the plastic becomes brittle and breaks off. Because the connector breaks in the middle, you can’t just simply slide the hose over the heater barb and toss on a worm-clamp. Instead, you have to remove the remaining plastic connector.
Much like a fuel line disconnect, the water hose tool is two half-moons with tabs that slide in behind the connector. Pop the tool behind the connector, and then pull of the hose to remove it. The tool remains on the pipe, don’t forget to take it off before installing a new hose.
Where can I get plastic heater hose connectors?
The plastic heater hose connectors are available from your local NAPA Auto Parts Store, or in an emergency you can temporarily use a basic worm-type hose clamp on the hose over the remaining copper tubing of the heater core. But the real trick is getting the connector off the pipe. A disconnect tool is available and usually does the trick quickly.