Leaky heater hose tricks? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

C&C Chevy · 11-05-2006, 05:24 PM

I got a leaky heater hose. The 5/8 hose that goes to the heater core is leaking after the truck warms up. I replaced the hose and clamp, but it still leaking. The old hose had a hole where the clamp was pinching it. Anyone use T-clamps on the smaller heater hoses? Kind of scared to tighten the cheapy clamps too tight.

piecesparts · 11-05-2006, 05:57 PM

ARE YOU sure it is the hose and not the heater core tube?

hiway · 11-05-2006, 06:02 PM

I've heard ole timers say to put axle grease on then the hose. Maybe double clamp it with the screw on opposite sides from one another. Heater cores are fragile so I always cut the hoses off with a razor knife. Generally if it's leaking at the fitting with a new hose then it's loose or your fitting is scratched or bent.

C&C Chevy · 11-05-2006, 06:12 PM

It's leaking outside the cab, right below the tube. The inside of the cab floor is dry and I don't smell any coolant in the cab. I'll take the hose off and check the heater core tubes out. I didn't really pay much attention to them since I saw the hole in the hose and figured all I needed was a new hose. Maybe something on the metal tube not letting the hose get a good seal?

Slonaker · 11-06-2006, 01:03 AM

I had the same problem, and it just about drove me crazy. I replaced the hose and clamp about 3 times without success. I was trying to do it right by cleaning everything well and installing a new hose, but it just kept leaking.

A mechanic friend told me to buy a good quality hose and clamp. I had been using some no-name hose and a clamp that came from who knows where. I bought some good Gates heater hose and a USA made clamp, cleaned everything up just like before, and installed everything. That fixed it. I don't know why it made a difference, but it did...

Slonaker

*Zilverado* · 11-06-2006, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slonaker

...That fixed it. I don't know why it made a difference, but it did...

Slonaker

Quality usually makes a difference.

I have occasionally used the double-clamp from opposites side trick myself (as hiway sugested). Seems to work well. If it is the hose connection - and not the heater core pipe - that is leaking, a good quality hose and solid clamp(s) should do it.

C&C Chevy · 11-06-2006, 05:55 PM

The hose is a Goodyear heater hose. I guess it's a good hose? The clamps are from autozone. They were the only ones they had, look like generic screw type clamps.

Slonaker · 11-06-2006, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zilverado

Quality usually makes a difference.

I agree, but I have never had problems with the cheap stuff not sealing. The problem is usually just that they don't last.

I use only gates hoses now, and have for the last several years, but I had some old Auto Zone junk in the garage. Every time I go cheap on parts, I regret it soon after.

Slonaker

89 crew · 11-19-2006, 06:58 PM

Pull the hose off clean it and the heater core, put a light layer of rtv on the heater tube then put it back together with a good clamp.

lurch115 · 11-20-2006, 10:14 PM

find a place that sells good clamps... as i have had similar problems with fuel lines.....a good hose is only as good as the clamp holding it

11-05-2006, 05:24 PM	#1
C&C Chevy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Midwest City, OK Posts: 1,001	Leaky heater hose tricks? I got a leaky heater hose. The 5/8 hose that goes to the heater core is leaking after the truck warms up. I replaced the hose and clamp, but it still leaking. The old hose had a hole where the clamp was pinching it. Anyone use T-clamps on the smaller heater hoses? Kind of scared to tighten the cheapy clamps too tight. __________________ Robert Current: 1986 SWB Silverado 4.3 / TH400 Past: 1985 SWB Silverado 305 / TH350 - sold 1995 1987 1/2 ton Silverado - FI 350 / 700R4 sold 2007

11-05-2006, 05:57 PM	#2
piecesparts Parts and more parts Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Lebo, Kansas (middle of nowhere Posts: 6,821	Re: Leaky heater hose tricks? ARE YOU sure it is the hose and not the heater core tube?

11-05-2006, 06:02 PM	#3
hiway Mad Scientist Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Enola Arkansas Posts: 380	Re: Leaky heater hose tricks? I've heard ole timers say to put axle grease on then the hose. Maybe double clamp it with the screw on opposite sides from one another. Heater cores are fragile so I always cut the hoses off with a razor knife. Generally if it's leaking at the fitting with a new hose then it's loose or your fitting is scratched or bent. __________________ Everythang relates to Beer! 86 1/2ton on tons! sbc/465/208/D60/14/35's 81 Postal....with 468 bbc 97 Merc Marq comuter 07 Suburban 02 Danger Ranger

11-05-2006, 06:12 PM	#4
C&C Chevy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Midwest City, OK Posts: 1,001	Re: Leaky heater hose tricks? It's leaking outside the cab, right below the tube. The inside of the cab floor is dry and I don't smell any coolant in the cab. I'll take the hose off and check the heater core tubes out. I didn't really pay much attention to them since I saw the hole in the hose and figured all I needed was a new hose. Maybe something on the metal tube not letting the hose get a good seal? __________________ Robert Current: 1986 SWB Silverado 4.3 / TH400 Past: 1985 SWB Silverado 305 / TH350 - sold 1995 1987 1/2 ton Silverado - FI 350 / 700R4 sold 2007

11-06-2006, 01:03 AM	#5
Slonaker Insert Witty Text Here Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,415	Re: Leaky heater hose tricks? I had the same problem, and it just about drove me crazy. I replaced the hose and clamp about 3 times without success. I was trying to do it right by cleaning everything well and installing a new hose, but it just kept leaking. A mechanic friend told me to buy a good quality hose and clamp. I had been using some no-name hose and a clamp that came from who knows where. I bought some good Gates heater hose and a USA made clamp, cleaned everything up just like before, and installed everything. That fixed it. I don't know why it made a difference, but it did... Slonaker __________________ '86 Chevy C10 (Sold 04/19/13 ) Stock '01 Silverado

11-06-2006, 05:55 PM	#7
C&C Chevy Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Midwest City, OK Posts: 1,001	Re: Leaky heater hose tricks? The hose is a Goodyear heater hose. I guess it's a good hose? The clamps are from autozone. They were the only ones they had, look like generic screw type clamps. __________________ Robert Current: 1986 SWB Silverado 4.3 / TH400 Past: 1985 SWB Silverado 305 / TH350 - sold 1995 1987 1/2 ton Silverado - FI 350 / 700R4 sold 2007

11-19-2006, 06:58 PM	#9
89 crew Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Kansas Posts: 865	Re: Leaky heater hose tricks? Pull the hose off clean it and the heater core, put a light layer of rtv on the heater tube then put it back together with a good clamp.

11-20-2006, 10:14 PM	#10
lurch115 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: iowa Posts: 722	Re: Leaky heater hose tricks? find a place that sells good clamps... as i have had similar problems with fuel lines.....a good hose is only as good as the clamp holding it __________________ "Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall, torque is how far you carry the wall with you." '84 chevy half ton short box 2wd, 67,000 actual miles '03 chevy 1500 HD crew cab 4x4 standard box, 6.0L



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.