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Heater hose leaking coolant

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Old May 21, 2010 | 04:51 PM
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Default Heater hose leaking coolant

The coolant hose that starts at the firewall and disappears between the engine and the firewall has sprung a leak. And by leak I mean it is wet with coolant, and when I touch it coolant comes pouring out. I can't see what exactly is leaking as it's in that space between the engine and the firewall.

How hard is it going to be to replace that hose? Will I have to pull the engine? I really don't want to be pulling the engine on a car I'm trying to get ready for sale. This is really going to push my schedule back if I do.

Also, I did search, and I was a little surprised I didn't find this out there somewhere.
Old May 21, 2010 | 04:54 PM
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Uhh me and someone else made threads about this in the past 2-3 weeks. I do not need the heater core and will be removing these lines. As for how much work it will be... I'll tell you in a few weeks when I remove them
Old May 21, 2010 | 04:54 PM
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Not at all just loosen up the worm clamps and pull. No need to take the engine out for that.
Old May 21, 2010 | 05:22 PM
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The heater core feed hose just connects at the back of the head. You can probably reach the squeeze clamp thingy by getting under the CAS with some long nose pliers.
Old May 21, 2010 | 06:33 PM
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Remove coilpacks and bracket if you still can't reach from the top. You can cut the old one off or pry with a screwdriver and lube it up with WD40 and then pull it towards the brake MC.
Old May 21, 2010 | 06:34 PM
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I got mine off while the engine was in. I pulled it off the engine so I could pull it because removing that hose from the firewall is a pain.

Its tight but you can do it. Bonus if the split is real close to the end of the hose, pull it off, cut the hose and put it back on. Free fix!
Old May 21, 2010 | 06:53 PM
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You may wind up having to order the hose bend rather than just using a length of proper sized hose.

I used a regular hose, and the tight bend causes it to kink. Not a big deal, since I do not need a heater for a while. But if you are selling your car...
Old May 21, 2010 | 08:18 PM
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Sounds like the break is close to the firewall (which happened to me) so you'll have to cut and reinstall. Careful to not damage the heater core inlet/outlet pipe. Mine is a little bent/pitted/scratched and it is almost impossible to seal.
Old May 21, 2010 | 09:10 PM
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Originally Posted by astroboy
Sounds like the break is close to the firewall (which happened to me) so you'll have to cut and reinstall. Careful to not damage the heater core inlet/outlet pipe. Mine is a little bent/pitted/scratched and it is almost impossible to seal.

You must cut the old hoses off the heater core fittings. Every single time I've tried to remove them, they leak afterwards. Once they leak, you need to pound a 7/16" or an 11mm socket through them to round them out, and then use worm clamps to seal them up completely, or else they will leak forever.
Old May 21, 2010 | 09:25 PM
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I used a 1/2" ratchet extension piece and rotated that a few times. Rounded out the copper pretty good as the oem clamps are still holding without leaking.
Old May 21, 2010 | 09:49 PM
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Originally Posted by Savington
You must cut the old hoses off the heater core fittings. Every single time I've tried to remove them, they leak afterwards. Once they leak, you need to pound a 7/16" or an 11mm socket through them to round them out, and then use worm clamps to seal them up completely, or else they will leak forever.
+1 to that...there a bitch. I think mine are starting to leak again, I just noticed yesterday when i turn a corner a get a few drips on my foot I look and i see orange coolant...FML.
Old May 21, 2010 | 10:01 PM
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Lol I had leaks too. I covered the fittings in black RTV and shoved the hoses on

Been leak free for 2+ years but I know that something clever is going to have to happen when I need to replace those hoses.

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Old May 21, 2010 | 10:16 PM
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That's a nice manifold. You made one for yourself??
Old May 21, 2010 | 10:17 PM
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No thats Phil's. Just the quickest pic I could find of my heater lines.
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