Coolant Hose Replacement

I think most people use a bit of spray silicone. I use a bit of Vaselline.

 

WD isn't that much of a lubricant to cause a problem...

I've always been partial to hair spray for that purpose, though!

 

I always heat the end of the hose in hot water.

 

I am sure that with Vaselline it would work fine. Some people believe, however, that the petroleum based stuff could deteriorated the hose prematurely. But in either case (silicone - Vaselline) I would not think that after clamping the hose there would be any problems.

Warming the end should work well also but it may make it a little more difficult to take the hose apart later.

 

Since I was also unable to get 1.5 " NAPA Gold Stripe hose on in some tight areas. I used 1 5/8" , which is only a fraction of a mm larger 40mm . It works fine and slips on a lot easier.

 

I lube the hose with a little film of white lithium grease, or just undiluted coolant. Try and avoid petroleum products.

 

Have found significant corrosion & deep pitting in the Aluminum hose connections on a '59 ALFA. Believe that the 'stagnant' coolant that weeps between the hose and Aluminum is the cause. Am now using white lithium grease on hose ends as a preventative measure. In theory, the petroleum product will minimize weepage and also help prevent future corrrosion. Applied only to the male end, little if any should make its way into the coolant.
Rgds,
Vince

 

I am concerned with the petrol issue on the hose as well, s I use a mixture of 50/50 Dish soap and water, slides right on, excess washes off, and no worries.
HTH!
Kermit

 

I agree. That's how I was taught to do it and it's always worked for me. Soap and water. If the hose is being problematic, then soak it in very hot water, which tends to ease it a bit, then soap and water around the mouth and it will slide right on and can be turned to proper orientation, if it's a formed hose.

 

Easiest way I found to push tight hoses on is with a little soap and water. I keep a small dispenser of hand soap in the garage just for that use. Squirt a little soap on your finger tip, a drop of water and lube the inside of the hose. It will slip right on and will completely evaporate in no time. No fuss no mess!

 

I used soap & water until 10 or so years ago, then switched to Radio Shack's TEFLON lube gel.

Slipperier than soap, & chemically very inert. Doesn't react with rubbers or silicones. Seems to exclude moisture from the area as well, but haven't really verified it keeps the joint from corroding. Also, seems to help keep hoses from sticking onto the nipples when removing them after a few years.

Have dunked excessively tight hoses in boiling water for a few minuites & they generally slipped right on.

Would not use petroleum jelly or any other petroleum based lube for a coolant line. They aren't designed to take long term exposure to it.

Oh, yes, in a pinch, just spit on it. ;^)

 

Verell, great suggestion on the Teflon lube. I've always used the soap and water trick, but the idea of being able to get the hose OFF easily some years later is a nice advantage.