Heater Core Hose - H-E-L-P

[Gary J.]

I received top flight with my car last fall and have been trying to chip away at some of the minor deductions, I cannot fix one issue and I am looking for H-E-L-P. My top heater core hose that enters the core at the fire wall continues to leak with the proper spring type red clamp. I had a more modern radiator screw type clamp that held excellent but of course this clamp was incorrect.

The bottom clamp holds fine, I have cleaned both the core inlet and tried to ensure a good roundness and lip on the fitting, I also tried #1 form a gasket on the inside of the heater core hose to give additional mating to stop the leak, no luck.

Anyone have a fix without changing the core which is not leaking and working fine.

Thanks, Gary

[Dan H.]

Re: Heater Core Hose - H-E-L-P

Yes, I had to use some Permatex on the heater core nipple, think it was the black super duty stuff. Have driven several thousand miles, no leaks! If you ever remove the hose you'll have to carefully slit it with a razor blade etc.
Dan

[Gene M.]

Re: Heater Core Hose - H-E-L-P

Gary,
Try another wire clamp. The one your using may have become free state open too much. Also compare the clamp size to a known original and I bet you will find the replacement is slightly bigger.

Make sure the nipple on the heater core is still round.

[Dick W.]

Re: Heater Core Hose - H-E-L-P

I have always used #2 Permatex which is not hardening

[Bill I.]

Re: Heater Core Hose - H-E-L-P

Be very careful Gary when working with the heater nipple, that's a weak spot on the design. Bill.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Heater Core Hose - H-E-L-P

I had the same issue with my 63 with the original core. Seemed no matter what I did I couldn't get it to stop. Finally, I used permatex, but clamped it with both a new wire clamp AND a screw type clamp (only tight enough to get a seal and not leave a camp pattern on the hose). After about a week, I removed the screw clamp (kind that will open fully to remove) and left the wire clamp and Walla!

I's all moot now as I have had to change the core before it changed my carpeting.

Stu Fox

[John F.]

Re: Heater Core Hose - H-E-L-P

I don't know much about 63's but I would try flareing the nipple just a little and then a little permatex.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Heater Core Hose - H-E-L-P

John;

Trying to round out a small brass nipple on the heater core in the car is not easy. Believe me, I tried. The more you try the worse it gets. The nipple has a rolled bead on it and you must retain the integrety of the that as well as get it perfectly round. Not many tools around to do that in those limited quarters.

Stu Fox

[Gary J.]

Re: Heater Core Hose - H-E-L-P

All:
Thank you for your reply's, I have lost faith in the permatex approach, this was my second attempt at using the product and after the car was not fired up for three months yesterday the leak appeared. It was a 60*F day here in New England at "Lucy" needed to breath. Any thoughts on using, JB weld or the new 60 sec./5 min. gel 2 part epoxy stuff? Not sure about the metal of the core & rubber of the hose and the high temp. of the water passing through both staying leak free?

Let me know your thoughts,
THX
Gary

[Stuart F.]

Re: Heater Core Hose - H-E-L-P

Gary;

I trust that you drained the cooling system down enough to get the fluid out of the hose. The mistake a lot of us make is to try and seal a wet connection. If there is any coolant in the hose, the Permatex (or what ever) won't set up. Also, I trust you trimmed back the hose enough to use a clean (unused) portion of the hose. Many of us, I am sure, have been able to solve these types of little nuisance leaks with these measures. I strongly suggest the two clamp approach as it was the thing that finally worked for me.

Stu Fox