How to Install a Radiator Hose

Radiator hoses serve as the means of transferring air-cooled antifreeze from the radiator to the engine. To increase the boiling point of the antifreeze, radiators use pressure. This pressure, along with the repeated heating and cooling of the antifreeze, takes a toll on the rubber radiator hoses, and they will eventually crack and leak. Lower radiator hoses are essentially the same as upper hoses, with the exception of a heavy metal spring inside the hose. Whether replacing the upper or lower hose, the process is the same.

Instructions

Permit a minimum of two hours to expire after turning the engine off to allow the engine and, more importantly, the temperature of the antifreeze within the radiator to cool.

Raise the hood and place a rag on top of the radiator cap.

Press downward on the cap while rotating the cap slowly in a counterclockwise direction until the cap disconnects from the radiator. If the radiator produces a hissing sound as the cap is being removed, stop turning the cap and allow the radiator more time to cool.

Turn the drain plug at the base of the radiator in a counter-clockwise direction with a wrench until it detaches from the radiator, then allow the radiator fluid to drain into a container.

Loosen the clamp located at each tip of the radiator hose with a nut driver wrench.

Pull the radiator hose off the radiator and off of the engine.

Transfer the two clamps from the old radiator hose onto the tips of the new radiator hose.

Press the hose onto the metal fitting on the engine and on the radiator.

Tighten both radiator hose clamps with a nut driver wrench.

Tighten the radiators drain bolt into the radiator with a wrench.

Pour the radiators fluid back into the radiator through the radiator cap opening.

Position the radiator cap onto the radiator opening, then press down on the cap and rotate it in a clockwise direction until the cap stops.