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Old 01-29-2013, 05:45 PM   #3
olopezm
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Re: Upper radiator hose popped at the radiator side

Thank you brcidd,

I took a look at it this morning and everything seemed fine; I'm sure it was the clamp, just like you said. I tried putting it back on with the clamp and went half way in, then I seated it properly with the clamp tightened the same to see if pulling it would cause it to come off and it sure did. I must have forgotten to fully tighten it when I replaced the hose, space is tight there and, today, I had to remove the airbox to make sure the clamp is tight; I don't remember doing such thing the last time...

I took some pics during the process, just in case I'm missing something. I will appreciate if you or anyone else have any comments on them.

This is the sludge on the radiator cap. Maybe the stop leak stuff?


The inside of the hose, doesn't looks damaged at all.


Here you can see that the clamp was barely tight on the hose. Almost as straight as new.


And this is the radiator, plastic is OK and there are no cracks. It has the bigger diameter at the tip, which is what made it last that long.


I have a theory that there was some sort of leak at the tensioner assembly (the "mechanic" who fixed the cracked head RTV'ed all of the fittings but did not replace the o-rings) and replacing it, took care of such leak. The normal build-up in pressure is what caused the loose clamp and hose to pop off.

Don't know if some air in the system could have aggravated the situation, I made sure to purge as much air out as possible by jacking the front passenger side wheel, opening the bleeder bolt on top of the thermostat housing and poured it in that way. Could listen to lots of it escaping through.

Oscar.
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