Radiator Hose Replacement Question

[EdFromATX]

Hey guys,

Its friday so like many of you im coming up with a plan for the weekend. I noticed some coolant under by 1996 LC and snooped around and found a small leak in the upper radiator hose. Just got a new one and want to swap it in tomorrow.

My plan is to jack up the front so gravity is on my side and i can fit a bucket underneath. Then open the petcock and drain coolant out of the radiator. Then move bucket under the hose, remove and replace.

Looking at the fsm i found online, it looks like the drain plug on the engine block needs to be undone as well. Now I know if I was doing a full-on flush I would have to open this up. But since im just trying to replace a hose, do you guys think I could step this?

Now I know you might be saying "this lazy sob" but im trying to get this job done before any of my pesky neighbors have a chance to re-read my hoa rules haha.

After hose is replaced run engine til hot with cap off, top off and done right?

Any comments or "no dont do thats!" are welcome. Im trying to teach myself about auto maintenance, but still could use a little a sh*t ton of guidance from you guys who know what your doing. Dont want to hurt my baby or kill any neighborhood pets.

Thanks for your time!

 

[fj80pb]

IMO, there's no need to jack up the rig. Try to connect a ¼' PE tubing at the petcock going to the bucket. It will channel the cooling fluid without splashing-be patient it will take a few minutes to drain the rad and the system. Also, in addition to the bucket, get one of these washing machines plastic trays underneath in order to contain any other possible spill-that will happen…also it will help keeping the pesky neighbors at bay.
Old rubber hoses can get stubbornly glued. Get a hose removal tool as it will make the job much easier (even better get a set of these as you'll probably will replace some other hoses in the near future-these tools are cheap)
You didn’t mention the rig’s mileage. If the cooling system haven’t been flushed in a while it's advisable to do it at your earliest occasion. Most guys will flush it up to 2 times with distilled water before filling it again. It's recommended Toyota “long lasting fluid” (the pink stuff you want to use).
Good luck
Cheers

 

[jonheld]

If you need to replace 1 hose, how far behind do you think the rest of them are? It would be prudent to replace all hoses at this time. Might want to look at the belts while you're there.
Don't run the engine without the radiator cap on or you'll get coolant all over the place.

 

[RS6tofj80]

Do them all and everything else in there if you can.... Including ps lines and upgrade to breeze clamps

Highly suggest doing the Wp / thermo and rad cap if you have any questions on them

 

[EdFromATX]

Hey guys thanks for the tips,
So due to weather I havent changed out the hose yet. After reading your responses I think it may be a good idea to replace all the hoses cause theyve probably aged at the same rate. I also think I should probably go ahead and do a flush. As a new owner im not sure when the last time it was done. Im looking through the maintenance receipts from the old owner and doesnt appear to have been done. Better safe than sorry I suppose. The mileage is 140k on the current engine, 373k total.

As far as the waterpump and t-stat, any recommendations on checking whether those need to be replaced? So far heating and cooling have been working fine.

I got the upper hose from autozone, dayco IIRC. Another user says use OEM which i saw for a reasonable price on cruiseryard i think. Also I saw a set of "performance" hoses on ebay for $105, which is steep, but if worth it i would consider it. Any recommendations?

Im probably gonna have to wait til payday ( a couple weeks) to do all the hoses and a flush. I may go ahead and replace the top hose cause I have it and its something to do.

Its cool being on this site but i can see why some call it an addiction. The more i look on here, the more projects get added to the list. Oh well, beats being bored. Hopefully one day Ill be able to pass along some know how to a new member...

Thanks again

 

[Mr Cimarron]

Hey guys thanks for the tips,
So due to weather I havent changed out the hose yet. After reading your responses I think it may be a good idea to replace all the hoses cause theyve probably aged at the same rate. I also think I should probably go ahead and do a flush. As a new owner im not sure when the last time it was done. Im looking through the maintenance receipts from the old owner and doesnt appear to have been done. Better safe than sorry I suppose. The mileage is 140k on the current engine, 373k total.

As far as the waterpump and t-stat, any recommendations on checking whether those need to be replaced? So far heating and cooling have been working fine.

I got the upper hose from autozone, dayco IIRC. Another user says use OEM which i saw for a reasonable price on cruiseryard i think. Also I saw a set of "performance" hoses on ebay for $105, which is steep, but if worth it i would consider it. Any recommendations?

Im probably gonna have to wait til payday ( a couple weeks) to do all the hoses and a flush. I may go ahead and replace the top hose cause I have it and its something to do.

Its cool being on this site but i can see why some call it an addiction. The more i look on here, the more projects get added to the list. Oh well, beats being bored. Hopefully one day Ill be able to pass along some know how to a new member...

Thanks again

I would replace the thermostat since you will have the coolant drained. It's cheap.
I alway find a cheap kiddie pool works great when draining coolant. It fits right between the tires. When done fold in half to pour into a bucket.

 

[fj80pb]

One suggestion mate: Get everything OEM for a major overhaul of the entire cooling system! Don't fool around with lesser stuff. You can get Toyota's parts nicely discounted (perks of being forum member) from certain support vendors. These parts worth every penny and will provide you many years of reliable service .
FWIW, I recently did a major overhaul of the cooling system (basically everything's new except the rad). Got all parts from Cdan...albeit there're other excellent vendors out there indeed. Use the search function and you'll get info about them.
Good luck
Cheers

 

[96Cruiser]

and when you get those hoses, there are two on the passenger side, one from the thermostat housing to a pipe on the crossmember, and then one from the pipe to the radiator bottom tube. theres also a small hose at the housing , goes around the front of the head from the thermostat housing to a pipe under/near the intake. and I know you are wanting to be quick about it, but if your top hose is soft, you may want to check on the condition of the phh cause its a bear to change and if it goes on the side of the road, your likely to be towing to get home.