Re: coolant hose leaks

["David Teitelbaum <jtrealty@xxxx>" <jtrealty@xxxx>]

If you see beads of coolant it means the hose is leaking. Worse is
that there is probably corrosion and deposits of the additive trying
to seal the leaks. The best thing to do is to remove every hose
(especially if you don't know how long they have been on the car)
clean the metal pipe with a wire brush, and replace the hose AND the
clamp. Just trying to tighten the clamp won't always stop the leak but
usually does strip out the clamp so now it doesn't tighten anymore.
Also the hoses get hard and even putting a new clamp on an old hose
won't do it. The time to retighten clamps is after the first time the
car really gets warmed up, you can get a half turn or so and after
that it won't help anymore. This is the reason for the silicone hoses
behind the water pump. Once you install them you can't ever get near
them to retighten them. They are too expensive to use all over the car
but all of the others you can reach and retighten. ALL of the hoses
should be replaced at the same time, unfortunatly on many cars only
the ones that could be reached easily are ever changed. The
anti-freeze should also be checked annually for PH to keep corrosion
to a minimum and every 2 years it should be changed. Only use a
premium, branded anti-freeze and then only use a 50/50 mixture of it
and clean, soft water. Finally the system should be pressure tested to
15 psi when hot. The pressure should not drop and there should be no
droplets at any fittings or clamps. Be careful when working on the
radiator, it is very easy to break off the plastic fittings where the
hoses attach, especialy the little one on the top right side. Don't
forget the heater hoses in the front by the right front wheel and on
top of the motor in front at the heater valve. Any leak ANYWHERE in
the system will cause a loss of coolant!!!!!!
David Teitelbaum
vin 10757