Installing cooling system hoses

[Eugene B.]

Members,
What is the best procedure for installing new cooling system hoses when using original style hose clamps to achieve a leak free system? Question applies to radiator and heater hoses.

Questions like: Install them dry?, Install with some kind of sealer?, Install with light coat of silicone grease?, etc.

All suggestions and advice is appreciated.

Gene

[ken edmunds]

Re: Installing cooling system hoses

I install the heater hoses with a coating of RTV on the nipples. The Corbin clamps are so poor they often leak. The only downside to this is removal-you have to slit the hose to remvoe it from the heater core. The radiator hoses I install dry-those clamps work!

[Mike McKown]

Re: Installing cooling system hoses

OMC (marine) makes/markets a non-hardening gasket sealer that will seal hose nipples from leaking and they will allow a hose to slip right off, months after installation. OMC part #508235.

I used to use it on IB/OB engine hoses. To winterize the boat it was necessary to pull a bottom radiator hose, power steering cooler hose and two hoses running to the water cooled exhaust. All this while standing on your head, upside down. It was no fun trying to get some of these hoses off. The application of the sealer fixed that problem and the hoses never leaked and never had to be replaced because of damage to remove them.

[Donald M.]

Re: Installing cooling system hoses

Gene, I have always coated the inside of the hose where it attaches to the engine/radiator with some pure anti freeze.This allows it to slip on and has no removal problems and it seals too.
Don