Cooling
Cooling Hose Troubleshooting GuideWhen inspecting a coolant hose for damage, make sure that the hose connection from the radiator to the engine is not kinked, and that it is not touching hot or moving engine parts or sharp edges. A kink can reduce the flow of coolant and cause the engine to overheat. The sharp surface may eventually cut or abrade through the hose, resulting in a loss of coolant. By touching coolant hoses, installers can often tell if the system is functioning properly. A coolant hose should feel hot within minutes after the engine is started. If the heater is on, both the ingoing and outgoing heater hoses should be close to the same temperature. If not, it might be time for a repair. Before beginning repair work, always allow the engine to cool in order to reduce pressure in the system.
When inspecting the hose, look for the following signs of wear: 1. Electrochemical Degradation
Appearance Since the hose is weakened from the inside, symptoms are not obvious by visual inspection. The squeeze test is the best way to check coolant hoses for electrochemical degradation. Before checking hoses for electrochemical degradation, first make sure the engine is cool. Next, squeeze the hose near the connectors with your thumb and two or three fingers. Electrochemical degradation initially attacks the hose 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) from the ends. If the hose has been weakened by electrochemical degradation, you should feel gaps or channels inside the hose. Then squeeze the middle section of hose, checking for a detectable difference between the ends and the middle. If you feel a difference, the hose has most likely been weakened by electrochemical degradation. Cause Electrochemical degradation is a primary cause of most coolant hose failures. This phenomenon occurs when different kinds of metals in the cooling system generate an electrical charge, which is carried from one component to another by the coolant. In case of a high concentration, this electrical charge will affect the hose tube, creating tiny internal cracks, which weaken the hose. Solution To avoid potential hose failure, replace suspect coolant hoses immediately. Most Gates premium radiator hoses are now resistant to electrochemical degradation. |
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