1997 Silverado 5.7L remove heater hose?

[zRobx71]

My heater hose on my 1997 Chevy 5.7L is leaking right before the quick connect metal thing on the end of the hose. What is the tool called that removes the heater hose quick connector or that metal tip that connects to the engine?

[DeltaP]

Technically I know it as a Garter spring release tool. Its the same type that you use on the a/c fittings. If you have a set of those you might find one that fits. That fitting is screwed into the manifold and they are known to erode and leak.They are available in better auto parts stores. So is the release tool.

[zRobx71]

I didn't even need the tool, I just clipped the clips together and it came loose. I can't find anyone in my area that has a heater hose assembly so I think I'm just going to get a used one for now. If I were to get the fitting and hose separate, how do you put them together?

[DeltaP]

If the spring is in place on the hose they should just snap together.

[MikeD268]

Just had a hose let go on my '99 Christmas Eve day. Didn't have access to the release tool to get the quick connect off so I just rednecked it and melted it off with a hot flathead screwdriver and re-attached the hose directly to the firewall fitting. After being in service for so long, the plastic acted like candy and bent/tore in chunks while trying to dig it out of the hose.

So now I'm curious. Can someone tell me why GM designed "quick connect" fittings for this application? Is there any logical/mechanical/functional reason for these or are they just one more money suck?

[gremlin96]

its faster on the assembly line to just click a hose than to put clamps on. no tools needed to clip two lines. it takes a person a few seconds to use a tool to put on a clamp.