Hose Collapse ? - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

KirkEvil · 02-15-2010, 01:01 PM

My upper and lower radiator hoses collapse in cold weather to the point where they look completely sucked shut. When the car warms up, the hoses go back to a round shape like they should be.

I always thought this was normal, but everyone that looks at it says they've never seen that before. Are my hoses shot, or is this normal?

CHRIS67 · 02-15-2010, 01:26 PM

That happens to some guys in the cold.

How old are the hoses? Good brand like Gates? Ever put any additives into the coolant?

WildBillyT · 02-15-2010, 01:37 PM

Sounds like they are shot. Lower should not have vacuum in it I believe. Uppers are the ones that have springs/reinforcement to keep them open.

What's your fluid level look like?

KirkEvil · 02-15-2010, 01:44 PM

The hoses are factory from 2000. I can squeeze the hoses easily there are no springs in either of them. Fluid levels are fine. I have a mezeire ewp, and 160* thermostat that is about ~5 months old. The car has always run a little hot for my setup at about 190*-200*. still on stock tune for fans.

I run 50/50 dexcool mix. I used to add water wetter, but never noticed a difference, so stopped like 2 flushes ago.

Just a side thought, but I think the lower hose has vacuum and the upper is pressurized under operation.

CHRIS67 · 02-15-2010, 01:46 PM

Sounds like the hoses are shot. Replace them before they let go.

KirkEvil · 02-15-2010, 01:50 PM

Should I pick up OEM hoses or go with gates? Is there a beneift to going to an EPDM hoise over silicone? Price is about the same.

The only gates hoses I can find are blue....I dont need anymore blue hose.

CHRIS67 · 02-15-2010, 02:02 PM

I always had good luck with Gates. Goodyear makes them too, but I really don't know too much about them.

KirkEvil · 02-15-2010, 02:08 PM

Ok, just snapped some quick pics of it. The hoses were warm to the touch when these were taken.

CHRIS67 · 02-15-2010, 02:13 PM

Your full of coolant correct? Then again those hoses are prety old and should be replaced anyway.

KirkEvil · 02-15-2010, 02:25 PM

The cap is also holding pressure, it depressurized when I popped it. Coolant level is good, it took a half cup of water to bring the level to the top of the rad cap.

CHRIS67 · 02-15-2010, 02:30 PM

I'm thinking that they are weakened by age and use.

sweetbmxrider · 02-15-2010, 02:39 PM

kirk man, those things gotta go. they deteriorate from the inside out.

198esp1 · 02-15-2010, 03:36 PM

hoses are ok your radiator cap is no good, seen this on hundreds of toyotas at the dealer was always a cap

JL8Jeff · 02-15-2010, 04:55 PM

Maybe your overflow is not working correctly. When the system gets too hot it should spill extra coolant into the overflow and then when it cools it should pull it back in. It seems like your pushing it out when hot, then when it cools it can't pull it back in and ends up sucking the hoses flat. Check the overflow for something being blocked, but there's a good chance it's the cap as mentioned. That is definitely not normal.

BonzoHansen · 02-15-2010, 05:00 PM

While I think 10 year old hoses need to be replaced, I think you need a rad cap. Get a dealer one.

sweetbmxrider · 02-15-2010, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JL8Jeff

Maybe your overflow is not working correctly. When the system gets too hot it should spill extra coolant into the overflow and then when it cools it should pull it back in. It seems like your pushing it out when hot, then when it cools it can't pull it back in and ends up sucking the hoses flat. Check the overflow for something being blocked, but there's a good chance it's the cap as mentioned. That is definitely not normal.

thats a strong possibility since he has a different overflow in there. i believe the cap was just replaced though.

KirkEvil · 02-15-2010, 05:50 PM

I think I found the problem...my coolant overflow is empty. Would that be enough to make the hoses suck shut when the system depressurizes?

WildBillyT · 02-15-2010, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KirkEvil

I think I found the problem...my coolant overflow is empty. Would that be enough to make the hoses suck shut when the system depressurizes?

Could very well be the case. Get the system up to proper capacity and see what happens.

LTb1ow · 02-15-2010, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KirkEvil

I think I found the problem...my coolant overflow is empty. Would that be enough to make the hoses suck shut when the system depressurizes?

Yea you have the wrong type overflow... but def replace the hoses.

BonzoHansen · 02-15-2010, 07:41 PM

The hoses are beat, so let's ignore that. Fill the overflow, put the cap back on, try again.

Have you always had the wrong overflow, or is this a new change?

LTb1ow · 02-15-2010, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BonzoHansen

The hoses are beat, so let's ignore that. Fill the overflow, put the cap back on, try again.

Have you always had the wrong overflow, or is this a new change?

New cause he cracked/broke the old one... its not a sealed unit.

BonzoHansen · 02-15-2010, 07:48 PM

I forget those cars, is it supposed to be an overflow or is it a surgetank with a pressure cap? What is on there now?

sweetbmxrider · 02-15-2010, 08:20 PM

overflow, just like factory just a different shape.

KirkEvil · 02-15-2010, 08:20 PM

The new tank has the same seal as the stock one. It is not a pressurized cap, but the coolant overflow tube is/should be submerged in coolant.

BonzoHansen · 02-15-2010, 08:22 PM

Ok, then IMO fill it cold to the filled hot line, drive it & see. I still think you need a rad cap. Just my $0.02.