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leadfoot · Posted: Tue May 04, 2004 3:56 pm Post subject: coolant hose

Having trouble getting the lower radiator hose to seal and i'm losing coolant. This is in the upper position close to the block.
Firstly i added another hose clip to the top of the tube and this did little, so back under the car and i drained the coolant and replaced the hose with a new one and new clips.
I even used some gasket sealer on the hose, was this a bad idea. There was alot of crud build up on the mating flange and i got most of it off, could this be causing an uneven seal, i also tried tightening up the clip again and it felt as tight as i could get it with a screw driver. Last time i took a ratchet to one of these clips i broke it. Not sure if it was a bad clip or i just over tightened it.
Any suggestions...
Leadfoot.

gohim · Joined: 02 Nov 2002 Posts: 4459 Location: Rialto, CA

Why not just replace the waterpump?

The hose connection that you are having a problem sealing is the water pump inlet.

You should be able to buy a new, German (or Italian) made water pump for less than $50. Change the timing belt while you are in there.

The reason that the inlet pipe is badly corroded is because someone was using the wrong type of antifreeze.

Porsche, VW, Audi, Saab, recommend a phosphate free antifreeze. antifreeze mixtures that contain phosphates cause a chemical reaction that eats aluminum alloys (the water pump housing is aluminum).

Do not buy the GMP manufactured lifetime warranty water pump that AutoZone, NAPA, Pep Boys, Kragen sell. The thing is a piece of crap.