Problem with koso temp gauge mod (1 Viewer)

[rc51kid]

I had a thought about the comon koso temp guage mod. I have replace my entire violent system a few years ago with all new one parts. The temps are great and I find I use the koso less and less. But it is nice at time to spot check it during long climbs on hot days.

So this winter I found my 4 year old own radiator leaking. I always run fresh proper mixed coolant. So I bit the bullet and swapped in a new oem radior. All is good now.

But I started thinking. I have the koso temp guage installed in the coolant line to the radiator the same way a lot of you guys do using a aftermarket aluminum threaded section spliced into the upper radiator hose. It has never leaked a bit.

But was thinking that it could make the hose not flex and a lot stiffer and put more twisting force into the radiator. Maybe this led to the premature adiator falure? Just a thought and something for you guys using this mod to consider. I have a new oem hose and will probably swap it in and ditch the koso. I lile having it but knock on wood my temps have been pretty boring since rehabing the coolant system.

 

[leonard_nemoy]

Its critical to lube your upper radiator hose with radiator hose conditioner every year on these old rigs, especially if you have the koso temp gauge mod done.

 

[retrofive]

I dunno. Have had the koso and whatever that adapter is done for years, no leaks, no new radiator. Just was careful with the cutting of the tube and clamps.

 

[rc51kid]

Maybe i need to adjust the fitment some. It might be more important than I thought when I first installed it.

 

[jonheld]

Its critical to lube your upper radiator hose with radiator hose conditioner every year on these old rigs

I only use radiator hose shampoo. I guess I've been doing it wrong.

 

[Shoredreamer]

I’ve had the same aluminum sleeve on my upper rad hose for a while with no problems. If I remember, I made sure I cut precisely to match the same length and get the bend just like an uncut hose. I also didn’t use a constant torque breeze clamp on the plastic OEM rad intake, I reused the Toyota one. I felt like I could accidentally put too much clamping force on the original plastic with the breeze clamp. What clamp fitting was on the rad upper inlet?

 

[Marco Lau]

I doubt it is causing your radiator to leak. The radiator is sitting on 4 isolation rubber pads. Perhaps overtime they disintegrated.

 

[fjbj40]

I only use radiator hose shampoo. I guess I've been doing it wrong.

You should only be using the KY water soluble type!

 

[Alleycats]

You guys really need to lube your hoses ok.

 

[Heckraiser]

Only problem with mine is that I didn't tighten the clamps down enough the first time around

 

[retrofive]

You guys really need to lube your hoses ok.

You prefer Trojan or Astroglide?