Leaking Car Radiator/Water Hose - Help!

bakepot

Hi

A Radiator/Water/Coolant hose in my Vauxhall Astra 1.6 (2005) has sprung a leak and I can't seem to find the best way to fix it.

The hose runs from the bottom of the coolant tank to the top of the radiator (I think) and the leak is about 9 inches from the top (where it connects to the tank).

I can't seem to find the correct raplacement hose online. I've found info on how to repair it by cutting out the burst and inserting a connector. But can't seem to find the connector part? I seen various tapes advertised but not sure if this would be any more than a temporary fix?

I asked in a garage and was given a quote of £86 (£6 part and 2 hours labour!!!)

Any help/advice would be greatly appreaciated!

Thanks

gilbert_and_sullivan

First port of call Vauxhall parts dept, get correct OE part, fit it yourself, job done, though i suspect the radiator is leaking judging by the quote, you're not going to diagnose this from a mouse and PC.

bakepot

gilbert_and_sullivan wrote: »

First port of call Vauxhall parts dept, get correct OE part, fit it yourself, job done, though i suspect the radiator is leaking judging by the quote, you're not going to diagnose this from a mouse and PC.

Thanks, the garage didn't look at the car before giving me the quote. The two hours labour charge was just to replace a hose. I've patched the leak with a combination of super glue and duct tape and I didn't lose any water after a days driving yesterday so I don't think there are any other leaks.

The Vauxhall website seems to direct me to a local dealership for parts. Is that who you think I should contact for the correct OE part?

Thanks again.

arcon5

Replace the whole stretch. Don't just cut out the split part and connect up a New part of the pipe. They are usually only secured with clips which unscrew to release the hose.

You sure the pipe doesn't go from the expansion tank to the bottom of the radiator?

AdrianC

The garage just gave a two-hour labour quite without looking? Seems odd. Some hoses are a five-minute change, some are a BIIIIG job. This sounds like a nice easy one.

bakepot

arcon5 wrote: »

Replace the whole stretch. Don't just cut out the split part and connect up a New part of the pipe. They are usually only secured with clips which unscrew to release the hose.

You sure the pipe doesn't go from the expansion tank to the bottom of the radiator?

Don't think the pipe goes into the bottom of the radiator. Not 100% certain it feeds straight into the radiator... but it stays towards the top of the engine. Definitely feeds out the bottom of the expansion tank though.

The clips that currently hold the pipe don't have screws...

It was a connector, rather than a new piece of pipe, secured with clips I was thinking of to do the repair.

facade

A connector is a bodge that won't last. The pipe is old & rotten, and that is why it split.

A new one is about £20, then you likely need the tool to undo the spring clips, although a pair of pliers can work.

You will find that the hose is T shaped, the bar of the T goes to the header tank, and the arms go to the radiator and the engine.
Either save the coolant in a bucket to put back in (cover it so no doggies can drink it as it is very sweet and very poisonous) or take it to a disposal point and replace with new.

The last thing you want is a bodged up hose bursting on a motorway or something.

eBay is full of new hoses, but you need to know which one you need.

bakepot

AdrianC wrote: »

The garage just gave a two-hour labour quite without looking? Seems odd. Some hoses are a five-minute change, some are a BIIIIG job. This sounds like a nice easy one.

Yeah I'm pretty sure this would only take 5 mins. Don't think they were interested in the business to be honest. Very busy when I stopped by.

bakepot

facade wrote: »

A connector is a bodge that won't last. The pipe is old & rotten, and that is why it split.

A new one is about £20, then you likely need the tool to undo the spring clips, although a pair of pliers can work.

You will find that the hose is T shaped, the bar of the T goes to the header tank, and the arms go to the radiator and the engine.
Either save the coolant in a bucket to put back in (cover it so no doggies can drink it as it is very sweet and very poisonous) or take it to a disposal point and replace with new.

The last thing you want is a bodged up hose bursting on a motorway or something.

eBay is full of new hoses, but you need to know which one you need.

Thanks for that. Do you know the best way to find out the part number? I know someone said contact Vauxhall Parts but google doesn't seem to be pointing me in the right direction.

Thanks

AdrianC

bakepot wrote: »

The clips that currently hold the pipe don't have screws...

No, they're spring-loaded, and just grip with a pair of pliers and spring apart. They're meant to be better than "jubilee clips", because they're constant-tension rather than constant diameter, so as components expand and contract with heat, they don't slacken or over-tighten. They're also very easy to automate the assembly of.

maninthestreet

bakepot wrote: »

Thanks for that. Do you know the best way to find out the part number? I know someone said contact Vauxhall Parts but google doesn't seem to be pointing me in the right direction.

Thanks

Any Vauxhall main dealer will have a parts department who will be able to assist you.