Help - Lower radiator hose will NOT

[Ramblin Fever]

stop leaking. It's dripping where it connects to the bottom of the radiator; have tightened the clamp before, but, after 2-3 minutes, it's stops leaking on it's own.

It only leaks when truck has sat overnight on a real cold morning, i.e. below 20F.

Thought for sure I had it stopped, as there has been a few mornings of 16-19F and it's been fine.

This morning was 15F and it started leaking again. This hose is new, but everytime I think I've got the clamp tight enough, within a day or so, if it's real cold, it'll start leaking again.

Funny thing is, is I'll tighten the bottom up a bit, then the top of that same hose will start leaking. Tighten the top up, and within a few days the bottom will start leaking - but it only does this below 20F.

I'm about to give it up and just replace the damn hose again.

Could it be the simple case of just not having the clamps tight enough?

Any ideas, this is really starting to pi$$ me off!

[directory]

i think it's time for a new hose and clamp

[Ramblin Fever]

Hose IS new that's the thing, doesn't even have 500 miles on it yet. I will definitely get more clamps, wondering if they loosen up over time, as far as I know, this clamp is new as well, but that doesn't mean it was good to begin with.

Well, it was 10F after work today, laid down on the cold ground and tightened that lower clamp another good turn, then started the truck, no leak, for now.

What I'm worried about is overtightening, I was told to be careful seeing as the lower part of the radiator mount is plastic, I'm afraid of overtightening and bending/breaking the radiator mount.

[bishop242]

Are you re-using those "double-wire" type clamps that come from the factory?
They are worthless. If all else fails, try the racing type clamps that are about 1-1/4" wide. Most auto parts stores carry them.

[Ramblin Fever]

Nope, these are your standard clamps from Autozone, nothing special about them, but they are not the OEM clamps - agreed, those were worthless.

These clamps look like they're fairly sturdy, but looks can be deceiving. I'll check into that tommorrow.

Can't remember off the top of my head, and it's too cold to walk outside, does anyone remember if I can install a new clamp without having to take off the hose? I'd hate to loose all my fresh antifreeze.

[Canucklehead]

Originally Posted by Ramblin Fever

Nope, these are your standard clamps from Autozone, nothing special about them, but they are not the OEM clamps - agreed, those were worthless.

These clamps look like they're fairly sturdy, but looks can be deceiving. I'll check into that tommorrow.

Can't remember off the top of my head, and it's too cold to walk outside, does anyone remember if I can install a new clamp without having to take off the hose? I'd hate to loose all my fresh antifreeze.

You should be able to. All you have to do is loosen the clamp all of the way and the band will come out of the "tightening thing-a-ma-jigger".

[Ramblin Fever]

Originally Posted by Canucklehead

"thing-a-ma-jigger".

Haven't heard "thing-a-ma-jigger" in years!

[Canucklehead]

Originally Posted by Ramblin Fever

Haven't heard "thing-a-ma-jigger" in years!

I figured you'd understand it if I used such an extremely technical term.