The hose on my car slipped off a while back, and I replaced the ring with one from the last picture I posted. It just slipped off again today, and I noticed there’s a piece of rubber stuck inside the hose that I can’t get to. Should I be worried about this?
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The part where the hose connects (the nipple) is broken. Without the proper shape, the clamp won’t hold it on. You’ll need to replace the broken part for it to stay secure.
Marlow said:
The part where the hose connects (the nipple) is broken. Without the proper shape, the clamp won’t hold it on. You’ll need to replace the broken part for it to stay secure.
Exactly. That’s a broken plastic elbow. Take the part to an auto parts store so you can match it, and grab a couple of new clamps while you’re there. If there’s still a piece of plastic stuck in the lower hose, you’ll need to fish it out or replace the hose too.
Part of that fitting broke off, and that piece inside your hose isn’t rubber—it’s plastic from the fitting. Without the barbed end, no clamp is going to hold it securely, and it’ll keep leaking. Replace the fitting, and consider using constant tension clamps. Those hold up better under heat and pressure than worm clamps.
@Denny
Do you need special tools to open those spring clamps, or can you use regular pliers?
Fay said:
@Denny
Do you need special tools to open those spring clamps, or can you use regular pliers?
I use hose clamp pliers—got mine on Amazon. They’ve got circular ends that grip the clamp.
@QuizSphere4
Here’s a picture of the tool I use: https://placehold.co/600x400.png
Worm clamps are bad for radiator hoses. Over time, they loosen as the hose material changes. Spring clamps (or constant tension clamps) are much better because they adjust with the hose.
Vance said:
Worm clamps are bad for radiator hoses. Over time, they loosen as the hose material changes. Spring clamps (or constant tension clamps) are much better because they adjust with the hose.
What’s the exact name for those clamps? I want to make sure I get the right thing.
@Ollie
They’re called constant tension clamps.
@Ollie
Or spring clamps. Depending on your car, they can be hard to find, especially for older models.
Zion said:
@Ollie
Or spring clamps. Depending on your car, they can be hard to find, especially for older models.
I got a set of 12 different sizes on Amazon for $20. Worth it.
It’s for a Chrysler 200 radiator hose.
You really shouldn’t be working on your own car. This is dangerous. Take it to a professional before you mess something up worse.
Nyx said:
You really shouldn’t be working on your own car. This is dangerous. Take it to a professional before you mess something up worse.
No.
If you can’t afford to replace the fitting right now, you could try drilling three small holes near the broken edge of the hard pipe and adding dome screws. That’ll give the clamp something to grip. Just know this is a temporary fix and might be tough to do with limited space.
If the piece stuck in there is blocking the flow, that could be why the hose keeps popping off. It’s probably building up pressure right at that spot.
Try tightening the clamp more. If it still slips off, the hose itself might be worn out and need replacing. You should also get that piece of rubber out—it could cause serious issues if it ends up in your engine or radiator.
@Quade
I think the rubber piece might be the reason it slipped off. It happened right after I stepped on it, and then coolant sprayed everywhere, even on my windshield.