'99, 3100

heater hose quick connect: necessary?

Today one of the quick connects under the hood snapped off. Sparing the long story*, I pulled the broken pieces off/out. I noticed the hose fit over the heater pipe so I hose- clamped it down without the quick connect. No leaks.

Question is, do these things serve any particular purpose or am I good?



*long story:

Someone stole my toolkit so I was reduced to a mini screwdriver and the clamp on my jumper cables, i was in front of a pizza customer's house, dealer parts dep closed on labor day, only driver working at the pizza shop, etc.

The quick connect is about only good for connecting quickly when the assembly is new and being assembled. If the hose sealed up on the engine heater pipe then you should be good to go. the only thing is you probably shorten the hose slightly, but there should be enough slack that engine movement won't pull the hose taught. I usually replace the quick connects when they break, but soiunds like you were in a pinch.

I think they put them on to sell tools and encourage you to go to a dealer.
Dorman makes a 1/2 inch connector that takes a regular hose clamp. If it was corroded badly you might want to change while it can be removed with a socket. Otherwise don't worry about what you did.

Thanks a lot folks. They looked somewhat unessential to me but it's good to hear it from others.