308 Radiator Top Coolant Hose Replacement | FerrariChat

308 Radiator Top Coolant Hose Replacement

Discussion in '308/328' started by jsumnertx, Jan 18, 2021.

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  1. jsumnertx

    jsumnertx Karting

    Dec 9, 2004
    144
    Austin
    #1 jsumnertx, Jan 18, 2021
    Hey all,

    I'm getting a bit of deposits on the outside of the radiator where the hose connects to the top left. I do notice that when the car gets warm in traffic (creeps above 195 on 100 degree Texas days) I get just a whiff of coolant smell. The hose seems like it could be longer and isn't all the way on the radiator tube. Is that what is going on?

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    Should this hose be replaced to fit better? If so, is there a writeup you'd recommend on replacing this hose? (part number 102956 - #21 on page 52 of the parts manual).

    https://www.awitalian.com/product/coolant-hose-upper-radiator-40mm-id-102956.html/

    How's the degree of difficulty on this?
     
  2. cmt6891

    cmt6891 Formula 3

    Feb 25, 2008
    1,334
    Encino, Ca
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    Carl T
    #2 cmt6891, Jan 18, 2021
    From the looks of the photo just changing the hose won't solve your issue. The corner of the radiator looks corroded
     
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  3. GordonC

    GordonC F1 Rookie
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    Aug 28, 2005
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    Calgary, AB, Canada
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    Gordon
    #3 GordonC, Jan 18, 2021
    That hose is "on" enough to seal, if the hose and lip are in good condition. If your coolant hoses are original, then they've lived a good life and are overdue for replacement anyway (ALL of them).

    If the hose interior has started to degrade under the clamp, it could be the source of a slight leak when the coolant gets hot and under pressure. But, without seeing in person, I'd suspect that the seepage may be from the corner of the radiator itself - I can imagine seeing a very small crack at the top of the neck of that radiator pipe, where the yellow deposits are visible.

    Best process would be new hose and clamps, clean up that corner of the rad, and see if that stops the seepage. If it doesn't, then your radiator may have expired.
     
  4. ferrariowner

    ferrariowner Formula 3

    Feb 21, 2014
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    Ron
    #4 ferrariowner, Jan 18, 2021
    Remove the hose and check for any cracks on the radiator or connection pipe. Replace the hose for certain.
     
  5. jsumnertx

    jsumnertx Karting

    Dec 9, 2004
    144
    Austin
    #5 jsumnertx, Jan 18, 2021
  6. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    34,003
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    Brian Crall
    #6 Rifledriver, Jan 18, 2021
    Looks more like a bad solder joint.
     
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  7. flash32

    flash32 F1 Veteran

    Aug 22, 2008
    5,662
    Central NJ
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    Dominick
    #7 flash32, Jan 18, 2021
    + 1 i agree with bad joint and understand if you play with it when trying to remove hose you may make it worse ..so be prepared

    Sent from my moto g(7) using Tapatalk
     
  8. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jan 11, 2001
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    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
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    Steve Magnusson
    #8 Steve Magnusson, Jan 18, 2021
    It might not be the original stock hose or stock replacement hose (but rather something cut from a section of an Auto Parts Store that sort of worked) -- just a thought (as people usually rightly freak out over F hose part prices ;))...
     
  9. waymar

    waymar Formula 3

    Sep 2, 2008
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    Wayne Martin
    #9 waymar, Jan 18, 2021
    Gates 20267
     
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  10. moysiuan

    moysiuan F1 Rookie
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    Nov 1, 2005
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    Canada
    #10 moysiuan, Jan 18, 2021
    Wash the area with water thoroughly. Tighten the hose clamp, the hose takes a set over time and the connection can leak. Drive a bit, then check to see if there is any sign of new coolant. You might get away with just tightening things up.

    The hose is on far enough, there is a ridged collar on the pipe, and the clamp sits just behind the collar, so it is does not need to be pushed on more.

    Scuderia Rampante has hose kits, with a modern silicon compound that you might want to check out. The OEM hoses would also be fine, but are more rigid and bit harder to work with.

    There does appear to be quite an area of corrosion, but it could be external from the coolant leaking from the hose over time.
     
  11. jsumnertx

    jsumnertx Karting

    Dec 9, 2004
    144
    Austin
    #11 jsumnertx, Jan 18, 2021
    Just checked my service records. Jogged my memory that the radiator was repaired ("resealed") in 2010. My mechanic had it outsourced at the time. Could be that the repair has sprung a leak. Given that, good call that replacing the hose might split things further. I'll try washing the area and see if I can find the repair location
     
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  12. tomberlin

    tomberlin Formula Junior
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    #12 tomberlin, Jan 20, 2021
    I would recommend a thorough cleaning of the area and then a test drive to see where the leak actually is. A radiator seam issue could be subtle enough to not be obvious with everything clean and not under pressure.
    I've seen it on other cars countless times. The more diagnosis you can do before you take it apart the better.
    Just one guy's opinion,
    Tom
     
  13. jsumnertx

    jsumnertx Karting

    Dec 9, 2004
    144
    Austin
    #13 jsumnertx, Jan 20, 2021
    Cleaned up the area with water and a metal bristle detailing brush. There was still a whitish deposit remaining. Tried full strength white vinegar on it and it didn’t do much. Unless there’s another idea for cleaning the area, I’ll move on to getting the engine warm and coolant flowing and see if I can find the leak
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  14. moysiuan

    moysiuan F1 Rookie
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    #14 moysiuan, Jan 20, 2021
    Looks like solder, probably from a prior repair, it looks pretty good. The white deposits are lead oxide, which means lead solder. I suspect you will have found the hose clamp just needed tightening.

    If you have used a HOAT antifreeze (any colour other than the old formula Green antifreeze) and if the repair was indeed done with lead solder, the lead can degrade with the newer acid technology antifreezes. Our old brass radiators would have had lead solder used in their construction.

    Best to use the old style green antifreezes that are compatible with our old style brass radiators.
     
  15. jsumnertx

    jsumnertx Karting

    Dec 9, 2004
    144
    Austin
    #15 jsumnertx, Jan 31, 2021
    Got back to the project today. Inspected the area before the drive and it was damp on the lip and the car hadn't run in nearly 2 weeks. Took it for a short spin to get it warm and there wasn't much more dampness but there was a slight antifreeze smell. Assuming a pinhole leak there?

    So, pull the radiator and have it re-brazed? It's already been fixed once. Is a re-core a better move?
    Is there a radiator shop in Austin, TX anyone would recommend?

    On the removal side:
    My A/C is full of R-134. I don't have any refrigerant recovery equipment and never done that part before. How bad is that?

    Trying to decide how in over my head I want to get but this does seem like an interesting project.
     

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