coolant leakage at radiator hoses

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Moxie26
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coolant leakage at radiator hoses

Post by Moxie26 » Tue Dec 07, 2021 10:19 am

I did get radiator hoses a few years ago, installed, and have had to add coolant. .... noticed coolant leakage at the hoses and have tightend
clamps, but didn't really solve the problem of leakage. Any suggestions ???? The hoses I bought from one of our suppliers have a hard shiny finished surface on the inside of the hose and I believe no matter how tight a clamp gets it will not change the surface to mate with the casting.

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RajoRacer
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Re: coolant leakage at radiator hoses

Post by RajoRacer » Tue Dec 07, 2021 10:41 am

Are you using "stock" appearing clamps or a good modern worm drive ?

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Re: coolant leakage at radiator hoses

Post by Steve Jelf » Tue Dec 07, 2021 11:25 am

You shouldn't have to use modern clamps. I have no leaks using original style clamps. I do put fillister head screws in them so the screwdriver can get a good bite.

Your leaking is probably caused by irregular metal surfaces, especially if they are pitted. Start with the metal clean and dry. Apply Ultra Black all around. Smear grease on the inside surface of the hose and install. Tighten the clamp enough for the hose to establish good contact with the sealant all around. Let it sit long enough for the sealant to set, then tighten the screws "until just before they break".

When I remove a radiator I unbolt the inlet and outlet from the engine and leave the pipe and hoses attached to the radiator. It's easier to reinstall the inlet and outlet than messing with the hoses.


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Re: coolant leakage at radiator hoses

Post by Jerry VanOoteghem » Tue Dec 07, 2021 12:28 pm

If your leak is at the upper hose, look carefully at it. Many times, the radiator inlet tube is leaking where it's soldered to the tank. The coolant makes its way to the top edge of the hose, where it accumulates and makes it appear that the hose is leaking. A broken solder joint at the overflow tube can do the same thing as well.


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Re: coolant leakage at radiator hoses

Post by jiminbartow » Tue Dec 07, 2021 12:48 pm

You can rough up the inside of the hoses on each end all the way around then apply “Ultra Black”, or “The Right Stuff” slide on and clamp. If there are any pits or irregularities, the RTV should fill them, while bonding the two surfaces. Allow to cure for a day before filling with water and starting the engine. Jim Patrick


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Re: coolant leakage at radiator hoses

Post by TXGOAT2 » Tue Dec 07, 2021 1:05 pm

There is a type of electrical tape that would probably be good for repairing corroded water outlet necks. It's a stretchy, soft, uncured rubber type of tape, not the slick vinyl type. It is not gummed, but is naturally adhesive. It will adhere to most any dry surface, and it sticks to itself. A layer or two of this tape, stretched and wrapped around a corroded water neck, ought to seal about anything. I don't know if it is oil resistant.


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Re: coolant leakage at radiator hoses

Post by Moxie26 » Tue Dec 07, 2021 1:08 pm

Using. "stock" type hose clamps. What inside diameter replacement hose would you use. ??

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Re: coolant leakage at radiator hoses

Post by david_dewey » Tue Dec 07, 2021 1:25 pm

Steve's suggestion is very similar to James' suggestion except Steve suggests doing something so the hose isn't "glued" to the sealant. If you do Jame's suggestion you will have to follow Steve's system of unbolting the inlet & outlet fittings to remove the radiator! Jerry has a very good point to, the leak could be elsewhere, but looking like it's the hose.
I've also been told some folk use the modern band clamps until the hose settles in, then take them off and put on the original style ones.
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Re: coolant leakage at radiator hoses

Post by Moxie26 » Tue Dec 07, 2021 1:29 pm

If I do use modern style radiator hose what inside diameter would anyone suggest.. the upper hose I know would be a little bit larger inside diameter then the lower hose. Thanks in advance

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Re: coolant leakage at radiator hoses

Post by Mark Gregush » Tue Dec 07, 2021 1:44 pm

Measure the diameter. If it leaking, drain down the radiator, take the hose off and inspect the surfaces. If the upper inlet is rotted away, no amount of "goop" is going to fix it, if the outlet on the head is severely pitted, clean and fill the pits with JB weld and sand down. Most better auto parts stores sell bulk hose by the foot and would not be able to look up a modern replacement hose without you knowing a make mode year that would work. If you are going to replace all the hoses, just buy the kit.
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Re: coolant leakage at radiator hoses

Post by Moxie26 » Tue Dec 07, 2021 2:38 pm

Mark. . ... Quote" just buy the kit...." I believe is contributing to my problem because of the hard slippery surface of the inside of those hoses.... The firmness of that rubber is not really contributing to seal that connection.


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Re: coolant leakage at radiator hoses

Post by speedytinc » Tue Dec 07, 2021 2:48 pm

I dont mess with original style repop clamps. They are too thin & will typically bend before sealing.
Gates H/D green stripe hose. (napa by the foot) Normal hose clamps. If pitting, a thin layer of ultra black over a clean end. No issues.
I dont use the red hose kit. The stuff gets soft & mushy. Much shorter life & over time not reusable.

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Re: coolant leakage at radiator hoses

Post by John.Zibell » Tue Dec 07, 2021 3:10 pm

I use clear RTV at my hose connections. It takes care of irregular surfaces and makes it easy to remove the hose at a later date. To remove just loosen the clamp and rotate the hose and it breaks free. The metal parts wont rust into the hose making it hard to remove the hose later.
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Re: coolant leakage at radiator hoses

Post by Steve Jelf » Tue Dec 07, 2021 3:52 pm

What inside diameter replacement hose would you use. ??

Upper hose is 2". Lower hoses are 13/4".
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Re: coolant leakage at radiator hoses

Post by Norman Kling » Tue Dec 07, 2021 5:00 pm

I use the original style clamps. I also clean up the connections. Check the input and output from the engine for pin holes rusted out. If so, they need to be replaced. Then I put ultra black on the connections and clamp the hose. I like to get the clamp against the raised ring around the fittings so the clamp will hold the hose tight. If later I need to remove the radiator or head, I leave the connections in place and remove the bolts from the engine.
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Re: coolant leakage at radiator hoses

Post by signsup » Tue Dec 07, 2021 6:08 pm

If, for some reason, I like the look of the vintage hose clamps, but not their effectiveness, I put the silicone around the metal tube and then slip the rubber hose over it and install a modern worm clamp and snug up. Run the motor until warm and then keep tightening until no leaks. Let engine cool and remove worm clamps by completely undoing them and instal the vintage clamps the same way and tighten them down as much as you can. The hose should keep it's seal from the modern clamp and you can enjoy the look of the vintage clamp. Put the worm clamps in your spare parts tool bin in the T, just in case.
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Re: coolant leakage at radiator hoses

Post by Art M » Tue Dec 07, 2021 6:32 pm

I never knew why my radiator and engine diameters are different. Thought someone put in the wrong radiator
inlet. Difference is 1/8 in. I go half way between and seems to work.

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Re: coolant leakage at radiator hoses

Post by Art M » Tue Dec 07, 2021 6:32 pm

I never knew why my radiator and engine diameters are different. Thought someone put in the wrong radiator
inlet. Difference is 1/8 in. I go half way between and seems to work.

Art Mirtes


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Re: coolant leakage at radiator hoses

Post by Moxie26 » Tue Dec 07, 2021 10:28 pm

Thanks to everyone for their responses, appreciated !

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