Purchase 1 gallon of antifreeze and the correct replacement radiator hose from your local auto-parts store or dealer. (Radiator hoses are not interchangeable. They come in specific sizes and shapes for your particular car model.)
Wait for the engine to cool down for at least 20 minutes, before beginning any work on the cooling system.
Place a large pan or wide bucket on the ground under the hose to catch the coolant.
Use a screwdriver to loosen the hose clamps at both ends of the hose you are replacing.
Remove the radiator hose by twisting and pulling where it connects to the radiator and engine. If the hose won't budge, use a utility knife to cut it off the fittings.
Remove the hose clamps from the old radiator hose and slide them onto the new hose.
Put the new radiator hose on. Spray the inside of the hose ends with WD-40 if the hose is hard to get on. Tighten the hose clamps.
Refill the radiator and the coolant reservoir with a 50-50 mixture of water and antifreeze.
Bleed the cooling system by running the engine with the radiator cap off until the engine warms up. Keep the engine running until both the upper and lower radiator hoses feel warm (this indicates that the thermostat is open and the coolant is flowing through the entire system). Burping the cooling system allows any air bubbles to escape. Add coolant to the radiator as needed.
Look for leaks. Inspect around the hose clamps for dampness. Tighten the hose clamps if there is any wetness.
Put the radiator cap back on.
Check the coolant level after driving, to ensure there are no leaks.
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Saturday, May 29th, 2010 AT 8:43 PM
