Just an update: I switched all of the original clamps out with hose clamps that screw tight and the issue seems to be solved!
DIY: Replacing heater hose pipe T's *important* (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter paflytyer
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
I just replaced my Plastic T's with more factory T's. My Original plastic T's looked virtually identical to Helm's, except one of mine is literally corroded away to almost the very edge of the hose where the clamp was. I can't believe that coolant wasn't leaking out of the worse T.... it is a miracle. The clamps still squeeze very tight and the hoses are in good condition, so I left them alone.
My rig has 134,000 miles on it and these should have been replaced at 90K........
My rig has 134,000 miles on it and these should have been replaced at 90K........
I attempted this today and I could not get the hose to budge. My rig is all oringal 1998 and I think I'll have to cut the hoses off. The Ts are weeping and I have a huge road trip next Saturday. It should be a lot easier to set the up outside of the engine bay, right? Any tips? Getting to those clips down low is going to be a pain...
@Emcd Mine was probably original from 1998 and the hoses would not budge. I was planning to replace the hoses anyway, so I just start cutting them up. I have a needle nose pliers to help with the clips down below. Definitely set everything up outside the engine bay, so all you need to do is hook them up to the pipe.
I also took out the battery so I can put one foot in the there, so I can position myself above the engine block. Good luck!
I also took out the battery so I can put one foot in the there, so I can position myself above the engine block. Good luck!
Long pair of needlenose pliers helps, get a couple thick blankets over the engine cover and basically lay down on top of the engine. Other than that just patience.
I've used this tool in so many random ways over the years and it bailed me out on the Heater T replacement too. Basically reverse pliers. You can put them on the heater T and squeeze them they'll push the hose off. Worked really easy on mine. No way could I get them off with just my hands.
Got my originals changed while it was in for an oil change. Mechanic said they didn't even crack coming out and still looked ok. Oh well, for my piece of mind it was worth the $50. I have an 04 with 106k
well, i just finished this project. it was one of my least favorite ones to do. even cutting off the old hoses was a pain. overall, it took me an hour and a half. i lost a bit of coolant, not a ton but enough to get the ground wet. i popped the radiator open and let it idle for a while to bump the system. if i can't see coolant in the radiator, should i add fluid until it's topped off? the coolant reservoir was between high and low, so i don't want to overfill.
PabloCruise
SILVER Star
Those things are good to have!
Are those exact fit or are they somewhat larger/smaller on any of the inlets? Do you have an installed pic?
I would say it is slightly smaller than the stock metric T based on the feel how it slides into the hoses. I got leaks when installed with original swollen OEM hoses. No leak when installed with new 5/8 and 1/2 Gates hoses.
I haven't seen where anyone has posted about these in this thread http://www.amazon.com/OTC-4525-Cabl...46358&sr=8-1&keywords=hose+clamp+pliers+cable , but I can tell you, I'll never do another Heater T job without them! Coupled with n55luvr's suggested tool above, this job is a LOT easier!
I happened to have these flexible hose clamp pliers (from a kit when I needed clic-r clamp pliers). I really liked the idea, but wasn't all that impressed with the execution, I found normal pliers easier.
