How To: Replace Upper and Lower Radiator Hoses

Radiator hoses connect the top of the radiator to the top of the engine, as well as the bottom of the radiator to the water pump. Radiator hoses are essential to keeping fresh coolant running throughout your vehicle. This not only keeps the engine running at the optimal temperature but also keeps your heating and air conditioning working optimally. Radiator hoses should be firm, but not hard. A hose that feels brittle, spongy or soft should be replaced, even if it’s just one spot on the hose that feels that way. A leaky radiator hose will cause your vehicle to lose coolant, which can cause more serious issues, like overheating. It is difficult to see wear on radiator hoses, so it’s a good idea to replace them every 100,000 miles or so.
Supplies Needed for This Job:
1. Safety Glasses: urlzs.com/hbwc
2. Gloves: bit.ly/2GvfwAm
3. Drain Pan: bit.ly/2GEzWqK
4. Wrench: bit.ly/2IUfBzn
5. Flathead Screwdriver: bit.ly/2GTfy5c
6. New Hoses: bit.ly/2NbiqhI
7. New Clamps: bit.ly/305aT7z
8. Coolant: bit.ly/2IWlyvD
9. Utility Knife: bit.ly/2TEMNOx
0:00 Welcome Back
0:45 Lift the Vehicle
0:54 Remove Splash Shield
1:05 Drain the Coolant
1:46 Detach the Lower Hose
2:42 Install New Lower Hose
4:25 Detach the Upper Hose
5:12 Install New Upper Hose
5:52 Refill the Radiator
6:08 Run the Engine
6:37 Top Off the Reservoir
6:44 Replace Splash Shield
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Transcript:
A radiator hose should be firm, but not hard. So if you find a hose that feels brittle, spongy or soft, it should be replaced. Even if it’s just one spot on the hose that feels that way. Today, I’ll be replacing the radiator hoses on this 2003 Ford Taurus, but procedures will vary from one vehicle to the next, so be sure to know the specifics for your vehicle before getting started. If you’re not completely comfortable doing this yourself, we’d be happy to recommend a professional technician in your area.
Once you’ve gathered your supplies, here’s what you’ll do:
Park on a level surface.
Raise and support the front end of the vehicle. For steps on how to do this safely, check out our video.
Remove the splash shield under the vehicle’s bumper with a flathead screwdriver or trim clip tool to access the radiator hose clamp and lower hose.
Open the hood… and locate the radiator cap.
Be sure to let the system cool before removing the cap. Hot coolant is likely to be under pressure and can cause injury.
Remove the cap and set it aside.
Place the drain pan underneath the radiator, near the passenger side.
See our video on flushing and filling the cooling system [link]… and make sure to use a clean pan if you intend to reuse the coolant.
Locate the petcock… and open it by turning it counterclockwise.
Drain all the coolant into the drain pan.
When it’s completely drained, close the petcock… and carefully remove the drain pan.
Remove the clips from the lower radiator hose and reservoir supply hose with pliers… and remove the radiator lower tube bolt.
It is possible to damage the radiator in the process of removing stubborn hoses, so it’s important to do this very carefully.
One way to make this easier with hoses you’re going to replace is to cut them… like so.
If they’re stubborn, you can also use WD40 to help loosen them.
Slip the hoses carefully off the radiator… and reservoir supply line.
Remove the lower hose from the outlet of the water pump.
Open the power distribution box in your engine bay and remove the cap.
Disconnect the oxygen sensor connector retainer… and harness from the radiator hose.
Remove the radiator upper tube bolt… and disconnect the radiator vent tube.
Now you should be able to remove the radiator hose assembly from the vehicle.
*View full video for complete instructions*

[@oreillyautoparts]

Supplies Needed for This Job: 1. Safety Glasses: urlzs.com/hbwc 2. Gloves: bit.ly/2GvfwAm 3. Drain Pan: bit.ly/2GEzWqK 4. Wrench: bit.ly/2IUfBzn 5. Flathead Screwdriver: bit.ly/2GTfy5c 6. New Hoses: bit.ly/2NbiqhI 7. New Clamps: bit.ly/305aT7z 8. Coolant: bit.ly/2IWlyvD 9. Utility Knife: bit.ly/2TEMNOx

[@dondassinger6202]

The factory design clamps are proven superior in design and function, if still in good condition - better than the replacement screw-tighten design that has a high-pressure point where the clamp screw-tighten mechanism is located. Get the replacement clamps, sure. Keep them with a usable old hose in the spare tire compartment, along with a spare useable spark plug, and jumper cables, and basic tools, and some duct tape. Thank you for the excellent video! Keep them coming, please!

[@mskiara18]

Thank you for sharing this video. I am learning how to repair a vehicle that requires a new radiator hose, and this is helpful.

[@MOM_101]

Thank you. This actually helped me stuck on the side of the Car is running smoothly again. Thumbs up

[@exposingproxystalkingorgan4164]

This video is very educational, and I learned something new to expand my capabilities.

[@juanclark1364]

Very Helpful Video.

[@capecoralflames]

Thank you !!! 👍👍

[@sl4983]

Thank you O'Reilly!

[@richardherndon676]

We are on chat!

[@tekeyaradford6642]

Thank you so much for this video I'm more comfortable replacing the hoses on my Mercury

[@danielhdz9243]

So helpful.

[@junebug8882]

Thanks for showing me bro... I might have saved myself $400... Lol

[@glockboa_9236]

Same here

[@thrivedru]

great video. great use of professional hand placement while talking 😂

[@aligadson5277]

I simply asked for replacing the bottom hose which is way harder than that and I asked for mercury mystique not Ford Taurus,wow they just showed me what they wanted to, Shits Crazy

[@CuriousEarthMan]

Thank you for this video. However, you did not show the hardest parts of the job, which are loosening the clamps for the upper two connections. I would like to have seen those parts done. Thank you.

[@chrisdb4278]

That's the part of the job that I came here to see. I was wondering if I had to remove the front wheel on the passenger side and inner fender well, thinking that the water pump connection should be clearly accessible then. You said two upper connections, though I thought the hose just went right to the water pump. Is there a second connection, maybe to a heater hose? The leak I have appears to be at the downward pointing hose off the water pump, as if the old clamp is rusty and loose. Might be able to just replace the clamp.

[@Thomass7586]

Cool 👍

[@kaynenmoniz9280]

Question. If I'm only replacing the upper radiater hose, do I still need to drain the coolant?

[@nickjordan5286]

That's my question also.

[@austinghost4587]

Yes you need to

[@zachj2k248]

I didn't have to

[@nwsmith9]

There will likely be coolant in the hose. Be prepared with a drain pan to catch it but apart from that you should be fine

[@imawhiteredneck3699]

Yes

[@bons562]

This doesn't show how difficult it is removing it from the water pump side

[@ApartmentKing66]

No, it sure doesn't. If a video doesn't show you how to get thru the toughest parts of the job, it's practically worthless.

[@derrickburnett4950]

Omg yes

[@suhaschandrasekara5917]

The radiator hose popped off when engine switch off but no heat was detected by sensors it is a prado 150 2010 why is that

[@zoeylentz7016]

Do you have to drain the system for the upper hose as well? Also, should you replace both like when replacing tires??

[@jonah417]

no you may lose a bit of coolant not much so just top up and burp

[@cesar2584]

What u mean top up and burp

[@kenw3951]

@@cesar2584 Burping means getting the air bubbles out of the cooling system.

[@Buddafingaz101]

Any tips or videos, on exactly how, and the correct way to disconnect and replace, and reconnect a new radiator hose?? Thanks. I currently have a "pinhole sized leak", in my radiator hose, that someone did with a safety pin, which was literally sitting outside, and next to my car, when I came across this issue the other day. So I'm currently trying to disconnect my "Air Intake hose", in my "2014 Kia Forte EX", "momentarily", so that I can gain better access to my radiator hose to wrap some "All-Weather-Gorilla-Tape", around the "pinhole sized leak", to get a better seal on the leak for the time being, or until I can get this fixed, and replaced. I have an appointment scheduled for my "2014-Kia Forte EX" tomorrow, or within a few days, and want to make sure that I'll be able to safely make it to Williams, Arizona, for that mechanic appointment. If you have any videos explaining exactly how, and what's needed, to accomplish this task without messing up my car more, man, it would be "Highly" appreciatedmy friend, thanks again..lol.👍🫡🙏💯🔥🚗🎄⛺️

[@chenyriadow5528]

Do it matter what type of car I have a car camaro

[@dianedecker9057]

I have a 2013 that needs the upper assembly.

[@justinguarino201]

Okay, I'm just trying to figure out how to get the hose over the raised lip where you'd clamp it over. I have been at it for 1 hour and can't get it to go over the raise part, so it just leaks... Any suggestions on what I should use? A bit of oil/lubrication so it might slide over easier?

[@borisloo9572]

Oil

[@billmazeymazey5226]

Vaseline

[@BewareTheLilyOfTheValley]

My car has a coolant leak and I'm trying to figure out specifically what I need to buy so I can give it to my mechanic and only pay for labor. I figure it's a crack in the hose as the spit where it's leaking isn't under the reservoir, so I don't think the main unit is the issue. Other than the main hose that connects directly so the coolant tank, can anyone think of what else I would need? That pipe for the radiator?

[@ApartmentKing66]

Only pay for labor? The labor is the most expensive part. You might as well have 'em do everything if you're going to pay for labor. That's where they bend you over. $200 to install a .35 part.

[@glockboa_9236]

That’s where mine was at.

[@slappe2618]

Am i the only one who noticed how he said “opportunity”

[@bassimobten7856]

why dont you do one for 2013 VW Passat, and show us how to remove the lower hose

[@kentarofunabashi2471]

So putting on the radiator hose dont need a sealant of any kind?

[@fastjp72]

What a joke how you skip over removing and installing the lower radiator hose on the water pump which is the hardest part!

[@joshuadorward570]

He also skipped the fuse box part

[@Mindyourbusiness122]

because this internet is a waste of time

[@Fitteds4dayz]

Can I change just one hose? I have a little coolant coming out of it. or do I have to changa all of them?

[@UvidCo]

You can do one. But it's recommended to do them both at the sametime.

[@rickyellison2647]

How to replace the lower water hose on a 2006camry

[@1MogJon]

It's a silent H in vehicle mate.....like hour (time) is pronounced our!

[@thomashubbard1673]

Many Americans voice the "h" in "vehicle." We also sometimes voice the "t" in "often."

[@lstruggy]

I think I might have a leak from the tip of my new upper hose i see tiny spray trails coming from that specific area my upper/lowers hoses are brand new but has the old factory clamps, my mechanic used the old clamps he said they were still good at the time but lately I’ve been seeing a tiny leaking spray trail from the tip of upper hose(opposite side of the radiator) I’m guessing it’s from that old factory clamp, could I replace that clamp w a new shiny silver standard clamp that has screw flat head for tightening without disconnecting the upper hose and if I do is it mandatory for me to reflush the entire coolant system meaning I gotta buy gallons of coolant and drain n fill n re burp the entire system?

[@BigWheel.]

He could've also over tightened the hose clamps, but I'd say get new anyways, to be safe, no you don't have to drain all your coolant out just a little if you're doing the upper hose.

[@dianedecker9057]

If the video is about 8 minutes then does it only take 8 minutes to install it?

[@tng_biggbootyproblem8116]

How much do the hose Cost usually I got a leak in mines

[@gray21779]

Idk if its too late but i got mine for 125.99

[@gray21779]

For the lower one at least. I only need to replace that one so idk about the upper one.

[@unironic1184]

@@gray21779 yeesh looks like im doing it myself

[@purplelemon3987]

OW

[@grumpy4862]

the video leaves out that you have to remove the battery other than that informative

[@sharevalentin3984]

SS g mm no see

[@beyond305]

those are the wrong clamps, im surprised you geniuses made this video and dont even know that those worm gear clamps can bite into the hose and can cause leaks. not to mention youre an auto parts shop and not even using the right wrench to remove the spring clamps lol

[@MFullaStyle]

Most auto parts shops dont even sell spring retention clamps. You gotta go to the dealership for those as for the tools you dont need no special clamp plier, simple channel locks are sufficient enough

[@johncollins8304]

Try working on a 'real' car. You had no problem getting the old hose off or pushing the new one on. No good to me.

[@colealexander3239]

Ideally you'd replace it before it was old enough to get stuck

[@DerrickRG]

Maybe if you weren't an idiot, it wouldn't have been so difficult.