After these times, remember to keep checking the hose which didn’t get replaced. However, you may come across a time when you only need to replace only one (freak squirrel hunting accidents and what have you). It’s a good idea to replace them together. As we said before, they grow weaker with time and use if one is weak enough to fail, so is the other. If they’re extremely soft and mushy, it’s time for new ones. If they feel stiff and won’t flex easily, they’re in good shape. After you’ve located the hoses, checking them consists of the extremely complex process of squeezing them. DO NOT grab any radiator hose of a vehicle that has recently been running 185 degrees Fahrenheit is fairly hot. First off, make sure of two things before attempting to check your hoses (a) the vehicle is turned off and in Park, and (b) the vehicle has been off for more than 45 minutes.

They will be the largest rubber hoses in diameter in your vehicle, and they will both be connected to the radiator at the very front of your vehicle one at the top (upper) and one at the bottom (lower). You should have two major radiator hoses, an upper and a lower. If you don’t mind getting a little dirty, absolutely! It’s actually a fairly simple check. Before you get to that point, plan for a hose repair by taking a look at how much it costs to replace one. If that happens it will only increase the cost of the repair and run the added risk of extra damage to your vehicle. Having them checked for this weakness regularly will prevent you from experiencing a major leak or hose blowout while driving. It’s bound to happen sooner or later since radiator hoses are made of rubber, and rubber only gets weaker with time and constant temperature change.

If you happen to notice puddles accumulating underneath your vehicle when it’s parked, or happen to notice a light green (or yellow or pink, depending on the type of coolant your vehicle requires) fluid leaking underneath your engine compartment, you may have a leaky radiator hose.

Coolant hose repair