HELP! DUMPING COOLANT

[SwitchBladeSierra]

Hello, I recently swapped out my thermostat and, for the life of me, cannot get the smaller of the two hoses going to the thermostat to seal. 
 

the factory spring clip wasn’t working, so I swapped it out and temporarily fixed it with a clamp you have to manually tighten with a hex socket or flathead (not recommended for this use case). However, 1 day later it’s already leaking again.

 

Does anyone know:

- the size of the (smaller) hose going to the nipple of the thermostat

- the correct size clamp for this hose

 

i would measure myself but I’m stuck at work and cannot do anything for the next 10 hours..
 

Options are limited at Canadian tire and Home Depot. 

 

 

[txab]

Unless the hose is damaged, find it hard to believe you can't get it sealed with an adjustable hose clamp. Probably 5/16" hose. Not familiar with your setup to know for sure. I know on my '04 it uses a 1/4" or 5'16" hose at the throttle body.

 

If enough length, you may be able to cut a bit off the end and re-install with screw clamp.

 

You provide no info in your vehicle, you could look it up on Rockauto.com for hose size

 

 

Edited February 12, 2025 by txab

[SwitchBladeSierra]

Hey man thanks for replying, I cant understand why it’s being such a ####. I thought of cutting the hose and having fresher rubber to work with, but I got cold feet. 
 

that’s almost identical to the clamp I used yesterday, again, it worked at first, but after my 15 minute commute to work this morning I popped the hood and coolant was sitting on top of the thermostat again. 
 

I just bought an assorted pack of (probably cheap and trash) constant tension clamps. Hoping for the best. Maybe I’ll use a combination of those and the clamp I already installed. 
 

I’ll update when I get to it, best

[txab]

Screw clamp for the win in my opinion. Where does the other end of hose attatch to? I'm unable to find the hose on Rock or at Gates. I'm sure it's just bulk coolant hose. If you have the length, MAKE SURE.... then cut off back to fresh hose that's not deformed.

 

Maybe there is a small split in the hose. more than likely, hose is unable to seal because deformation

[SwitchBladeSierra]

Here are some photos boss, looks like a return path to the reservoir.

 

 

 

 

[txab]

That hose looks like Gates 51907

 

GATES 51907 Specifications
Branch Quantity	1
Centerline Length (IN)	62
Centerline Length (MM)	1575
Contains Spring	No
End 1 Inside Diameter (IN)	.28
End 1 Inside Diameter (MM)	7
End 2 Inside Diameter (IN)	.28
End 2 Inside Diameter (MM)	7
Material	EPDM, Plastic
Modular	Yes
Modular Components Included	Branch, Tee
Molded	Yes
Quick Connect Fitting Quantity	0

 

 

Edited February 13, 2025 by txab

[SwitchBladeSierra]

You’re good at this. Thank you, you might be on to something with screw clamps for the win.

 

when I got home yesterday the screw clamp came loose somehow, either from heating cycles or whatever I don’t know. But I tightened her down good again and surprise, it stopped the leak. Will continue to monitor it, I’ll avoid using those constant tension clamps I just bought if I can. Get some schmoney back…

 

thank you for all your help, wishing the best

[txab]

Looks like you need to get a smaller diameter screw clamp. If too large it has trouble exerting adequate pressure around the circumference of the hose. You've got a long "tail" hanging out on that screw clamp. Pick up one that just fits when it's all the way opened, then crank it down. If the hose end is deformed too much I would cut it off as I previously mentioned

[SwitchBladeSierra]

If anyone lands here looking for an update - the problem wasnt with the hose, the clamp, etc... I purchased a metal Thermostat housing that just must not of been made to spec. It just wouldn't plug up the hose.. Went back to a plastic cheap housing - leak fixed. Some plumbers tape carefully placed in tandem with a clamp likely would've gotten the job done.

 

Best,

[davester]

thanks for coming back and posting what the fix turned out to be.