Below zero coolant leak (1 Viewer)

[Bigsky80]

Here are the details 1991 FJ80 230K miles.

Here's the problem, it leaks a couple of ounces of coolant when it goes from fully warmed up to fully cold when the outside temp is below 0 Fahrenheit. The leak is from the lower radiator hose.

Have any of you experienced this and if so what was the fix? The hose clamp is tight and I'm hesitant to crank on it more because plastic gets brittle in the cold and I really don't want to break the radiator. I could just keep adding a little coolant thoughout the winter, but I hate having a leak

 

[Mr Cimarron]

I have had that issue before but tightening the clamps fixes it. Maybe it's time to replace that hose?

 

[Output Shaft]

Use a double banded hoop clamp. Not the usual strap hose clamp.

 

[Bigsky80]

Thanks for the input. When it warms up I'll try the double banded clamp

 

[baldilocks]

The hose shrinks when that cold. Constant torque clamps solve that issue.

 

[Bigsky80]

How do constant torque clamps differ from standard hose clamps?

 

[Output Shaft]

They use a tensioned spring in the screw mechanism to apply a dynamic clamping force that can expand and contract.

 

[baldilocks]

The spring clamps that Toyota installed at the factory are one more example a constant torque clamp.

 

[sea bass]

Get rid of those screw type hose clamp and go with the constant tension spring type the spring type Toyota put on at the factory are the best