Is there a coolant hose?
Most vehicles will use an upper hose that goes from the radiator to the thermostat, and a lower hose that supplies coolant from the water pump to the radiator. A failed radiator hose can mean overheating and damage to your engine.
How to check the temperature of the radiator hoses?
Step 1: Warm up the engine. Start your vehicle and allow the engine to warm up. Step 2: Locate the radiator hoses. Open the hood and locate the upper and lower radiator hoses on the vehicle. Step 3: Check the temperature of radiator hoses. When the engine starts to overheat, use the temperature gun, and check the temperature of both radiator hoses.
How can I tell if my coolant hose is leaking?
Some easy, basic maintenance can help prevent coolant hose failure: Check the white coolant-recovery tank often to ensure proper fluid level. Marks on the tank indicate the proper level for when the engine is cold or hot. If the tank is low after repeated fillings, suspect a leak.
How long do radiator hoses last on a new car?
Hoses installed on a new car tend to last about 10 years or 100,000 miles (160,000 km). It is a good idea to do radiator hose inspection long before you reach these milestones. Thanks! Never remove a hot radiator cap. Pressure built up inside the radiator can cause boiling coolant to gush out of the radiator, causing severe burns. Thanks!
Why are radiator hoses overlooked during routine car inspection?
One reason radiator hoses are overlooked during a routine car inspection is that the hoses can be difficult to reach. The upper radiator hose runs from the radiator to the motor. You can usually see most of this hose. The lower radiator hose is harder to find.
When do you Know Your radiator hose needs to be replaced?
As soon as you notice any of these, your radiator hose needs to be replaced because it has gone bad. As soon as you notice leaking coolant, your engine overheats, the Low Coolant light illuminates, or your radiator hose is broken, have a professional mechanic inspect and/or replace the radiator hose.
How can you tell if your radiator hose is cracked?
You can usually see most of this hose. The lower radiator hose is harder to find. To locate it, get underneath the car and look for a smaller diameter hose leading from the radiator into the heat wall of the car. Visually inspect each radiator hose. Hoses should not be swollen or cracked, both of which could lead to a failure. [3]
What can cause a radiator hose to collapse?
In other cases a cooling system fault can cause the hose to collapse. In either case an inspection must be performed as a coolant hose that has collapsed cannot flow coolant properly. This can result in the vehicle overheating and engine damage. 5. Radiator hose is broken The radiator hose can be broken in a variety of different ways.
Where are the radiator hoses located on a car?
The upper radiator hose runs from the radiator to the motor. You can usually see most of this hose. The lower radiator hose is harder to find. To locate it, get underneath the car and look for a smaller diameter hose leading from the radiator into the heat wall of the car. Visually inspect each radiator hose.