How to Inspect Car Radiator Hoses

PDF download Download Article
Do a quick inspection and squeeze test to know if you need to replace your radiator hoses
PDF download Download Article

The radiator is one of the most important devices in your car because it keeps the engine at its nominal operating temperature, which is typically between 195 and 220 degrees Fahrenheit (90 and 105 degrees Celsius). [1] Radiator hoses circulate coolant from the radiator to parts of the engine that need to stay cool; but over time, radiator hoses can weaken. If they are not replaced when necessary, they can completely collapse, causing the engine to overheat and unable to run. We'll walk you through how to check your radiator hoses, which may help you keep your engine from overheating.

Things You Should Know

  • Locate the upper radiator hose between the radiator and the motor. Find the lower hose beneath your car between the radiator and heat wall.
  • Check that the radiator hoses are neither cracked nor swollen.
  • Do a radiator hose squeeze test when the engine is still warm. Ideally, it will feel firm but not rock-hard.

Get Car Support Solve Any Problem

wH
Hi there! Do you have a question about how to diagnose or fix a problem with your car? I’ve read the manual so you don’t have to. Select your make, model, and year, then ask away!
*
*
1

Find both of your radiator hoses.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/32\/Check-Radiator-Hoses-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Check-Radiator-Hoses-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/32\/Check-Radiator-Hoses-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Check-Radiator-Hoses-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    One reason radiator hoses are overlooked during a routine car inspection is that the hoses can be difficult to reach.
    • The upper radiator hose runs from the radiator to the motor. You can usually see most of this hose.
    • The lower radiator hose is harder to find. To locate it, get underneath the car and look for a smaller diameter hose leading from the radiator into the heat wall of the car.
    2. Advertisement
2

Visually inspect each radiator hose.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/6\/6a\/Check-Radiator-Hoses-Step-2-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Check-Radiator-Hoses-Step-2-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/6\/6a\/Check-Radiator-Hoses-Step-2-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Check-Radiator-Hoses-Step-2-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    Hoses should not be swollen or cracked, both of which could lead to a failure. [2]
3

Perform a squeeze test.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/8d\/Check-Radiator-Hoses-Step-3-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Check-Radiator-Hoses-Step-3-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/8d\/Check-Radiator-Hoses-Step-3-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Check-Radiator-Hoses-Step-3-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    While the engine is warm after a drive, squeeze the radiator hoses, paying particular attention to areas where the hose bends.
    • A radiator hose in good condition should feel firm, but not hard.
    • A radiator hose in poor condition feels very hard, spongy, or soft. You may find a single soft spot as opposed to the entire hose being soft. A soft hose or a hose with a soft spot should be replaced.
    2. Advertisement
4

Check the clamps that connect the hose to the radiator and the engine.

PDF download Download Article
  1. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/a\/a4\/Check-Radiator-Hoses-Step-4-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Check-Radiator-Hoses-Step-4-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/a\/a4\/Check-Radiator-Hoses-Step-4-Version-3.jpg\/v4-728px-Check-Radiator-Hoses-Step-4-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\"><p>\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is <b>not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc.<br>\n<\/p><p><br \/>\n<\/p><\/div>"}
    There are 3 different types of radiator hose connections, gear clamps, banded clamps, and wire clamps.
    • Gear clamps, which are sometimes called worm clamps, and banded clamps, which are also called screw clamps, are typically made of stainless steel and wrap around the hose. You adjust these types of clamps with a screwdriver.
    • Wire clamps are adjusted with a pair of hose clamp pliers. You can recognize these clamps because there is no screw keeping them tight.

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    What can cause the top of the radiator hose to become swollen and the heat to no longer work?
    Community Answer
    The hose might have burst internally and if the coolant leaked or can't flow through properly, you could be running without enough coolant to run the heat. If so, you should replace the hose and replace your coolant.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 8 Helpful 10
  • Question
    Why would the lower hose be cool, but the top hose hot?
    Community Answer
    Your thermostat controls coolant going to your lower hose. Either your engine has not reached sufficient temperature for the thermostat to operate, or your thermostat has gone bad and no longer operates properly. If your temperature gauge is past its normal point (about half way) and the bottom hose is still cold, fair chance your thermostat is bad.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 4 Helpful 6
  • Question
    Why is the top hose on my car very hard when it has been running for an hour or so?
    Community Answer
    This is perfectly normal. When your engine is at normal operating temperature, your cooling system is under pressure. The pressure in your system is limited by the radiator cap, usually around 15 psi. The hose feels hard because it is holding back the pressure in your cooling system. This is why you should periodically check the condition of the hoses.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 7 Helpful 12
See more answers
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Tips

      • Hoses installed on a new car tend to last about 10 years or 100,000 miles (160,000 km). It is a good idea to do radiator hose inspection long before you reach these milestones.
        Thanks
      • Clamps are very inexpensive. When you determine that it is time to replace a hose, replace the clamps that connect it to the radiator and engine at the same time.
        Thanks
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Never remove a hot radiator cap. Pressure built up inside the radiator can cause boiling coolant to gush out of the radiator, causing severe burns. [3]
        Thanks
      Advertisement

      Things You'll Need

      • Flashlight (for inspecting the hoses underneath the engine)
      • Screwdriver (for tightening clamps, if necessary)
      • Hose clamp pliers (for adjusting wire clamps, if necessary)

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Tell if Your Car's Thermostat Is Stuck Closed
      How to
      Seal a Leaking Radiator
      How to Flush a Car's Radiator Coolant System
      How to
      Fix a Water Pump in a Vehicle
      How to
      Cool an Overheated Engine
      How to Identify a Failing Radiator in Your Car
      How to
      Tell if a Car's Water Pump Needs Replacement
      How to
      Change a Car Radiator
      How to
      Stop an Engine from Overheating
      How to
      Size a Radiator
      How to
      Replace a Leaking Radiator Hose
      How to
      Diagnose a Cooling System Problem
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.cars.com/articles/should-i-worry-about-how-hot-my-engine-is-running-1420680334271/
      2. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/car-repair-maintenance/how-to-inspect-car-belts-and-hoses/
      3. ↑ http://www.dmp.wa.gov.au/Documents/Safety/MSH_SIR_080.pdf
      4. http://community.cartalk.com/discussion/2155496/radiator-hoses-and-thermostat

      About This Article

      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 200,933 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Marilyn Newsome

        Apr 9, 2016

        "This article helped me figure out what and where is my radiator hose! Now I can get it replaced!"
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement