'96 2.4l coolant leak

[bass440]

My daughter's '96 Grand Am (2.4l motor) has a coolant leak that sprays on the exhaust pipe, and it appears to be coming from one of the heater hoses. It appears to be a molded style hose assembly, and the two hoses from the engine to the firewall are connected by a black plastic coupling of some sort.

I don't have a repair manual for this car, and was hoping to replace this leaking hose. Is there anything special about this? Is it a dealer only part? Are there any special instructions for accessing this unit? I'm hoping to repair it in my driveway for her tonight. I appreciate any help.

Thanks,
Doug

[gmack221]

Does sound like its the heater hoses, as I recall the one coming from the lower hose (passanger side) has a plastic end on it that clips on to the lower radiator hose junction ... I can't be for sure but i'd bet thats a dealer only part. The one that comes from the upper radiator hose (drivers side of engine) I believe is just a molded hose that uses hose clamps on both sides, might be easier to get one thru a dealer, but can probably be found at a parts store.

as far as getting the hose off of the junction block, push the hose on and push the two release tabs, then pull it off while holding the tabs. sounds much easier then it is, but its not too bad.

If you need to fix the problem until the right hose gets ordered you could cut the hose before the leak, and replace the leaky section with normal heater hose using a straight connector & 2 hose clamps to attach the two hoses together.

[bass440]

Originally Posted by gmack221

Does sound like its the heater hoses, as I recall the one coming from the lower hose (passanger side) has a plastic end on it that clips on to the lower radiator hose junction ... I can't be for sure but i'd bet thats a dealer only part. The one that comes from the upper radiator hose (drivers side of engine) I believe is just a molded hose that uses hose clamps on both sides, might be easier to get one thru a dealer, but can probably be found at a parts store.

as far as getting the hose off of the junction block, push the hose on and push the two release tabs, then pull it off while holding the tabs. sounds much easier then it is, but its not too bad.

If you need to fix the problem until the right hose gets ordered you could cut the hose before the leak, and replace the leaky section with normal heater hose using a straight connector & 2 hose clamps to attach the two hoses together.

Thanks for the help. I've had my buddy at the local parts store find and order one. He'll have it tomorrow. I think he called it a heater hose assembly, and my cost on it is about $55, so I'm hoping it's what I need. I appreciate the temporary fix advice, but it looks like it's been 'doctored' with tape, etc., so I'm sure it could stand to just be totally replaced at this point. It looks like it should be all pretty accessible from up top. Is this right, or am I missing something? Thanks for the release tabs advice, also.

[armagh]

I just had to replace that hose on my 94 grand am. The hose going to the heater core is all one unit there is a plastice moulding that links both hoses. The replacedment I got from pepboys.

the connections to the hheater core when I got the clamps off I found the easiest way to get the hoses off was to use a utility knife and cut the hose coming from the firewall to the front of the engine as those hoses will be very tight in the heater core and you may damage the heater core by pulling too much.

Watch the connection on the thermostst housing this housing is easily broken.