Heater Hose Quick Connect

[hufhouse]

My son was driving our 2000 Montana to school today, and one of the quick connects on a heater hose came apart.

The van has a new engine and the intake manifold gasket is the new design...no problem there.

First question...is it "normal" for a quick connect to come apart randomly like that? Or, does that indicate some other problem?

Second question...once it comes apart, should I replace the hose or just assume it was a "fluke"?

[brcidd]

Originally Posted by hufhouse

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The van has a new engine and the intake manifold gasket is the new design...no problem there.

A new engine implies that someone installed another engine-- so it is the fault of this installer that the coupler came apart. I'd go see the installer.

[hufhouse]

Should have been more specific. The new engine was installed about three years ago. I just wanted to make sure people knew that it wasn't an intake manifold gasket problem.

[hufhouse]

Update:

I refilled the system with coolant and bled off the air (which took a while).

Took the van for a ride (a few miles) with no problem.

I stopped at a Chevy dealer and ordered the hose. I'm going to replace it, just in case.

I have a feeling this happened because my son said he pulled out in front of a car and had to accelerate really fast right before the hose came apart. When I went to the Chevy dealer, I mentioned that and the service guy scrunched up his forehead and said, "that still shouldn't have happened unless there was a loose motor mount or something."

Well, I checked the "dog bones" up front, and both of them were quite loose. I tightened them up, and there is a lot less "play" in the engine now.

I'm thinking there was a lot of wiggling going on, and the quick connect just popped.

I thought I would let you all know the outcome, just in case someone has a similar problem in the future.