Upper Radiator hose ALERT
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From: Aurora , ILL
Upper Radiator hose ALERT
I have a 04 Coupe with 57000 miles on it.
Well today I was lucky.
I was close to home when I discovered a pin hole leak in my upper radiator hose. I lost some coolant but not much and did not overheat.
I made it home and found that there is only one upper hose in the US and it is being shipped to me.
The hole was caused by constant contact/rubbing on the plastic cooling fan shroud in a spot where there are two round raised surfaces with sharp edges.
I have attached a few pics to show you where to look to see if your hose is rubbing this spot or not.
Looking for feedback from all of you with your findings.
This is a view on the drivers side of the engine compartment in front of the power steering pump.
Well today I was lucky.
I was close to home when I discovered a pin hole leak in my upper radiator hose. I lost some coolant but not much and did not overheat.
I made it home and found that there is only one upper hose in the US and it is being shipped to me.
The hole was caused by constant contact/rubbing on the plastic cooling fan shroud in a spot where there are two round raised surfaces with sharp edges.
I have attached a few pics to show you where to look to see if your hose is rubbing this spot or not.
Looking for feedback from all of you with your findings.
This is a view on the drivers side of the engine compartment in front of the power steering pump.
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From: Cincinnati ( Delhi )
Re: Upper Radiator hose ALERT
Gary, I have a good 1 inch or more clearance on the unused mounting bosses (holes) on the shroud.
Last edited by James1549; Jul 1, 2010 at 12:04 AM.
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From: Aurora , ILL
Re: Upper Radiator hose ALERT
Now another thing I discovered tonight.
The SRT has a slightly different oil filter housing than the N/A to hold a clamp to secure the radiator hose.
Also the SRT has a single piece upper radiator hose and the N/A has a 2 piece upper radiator hose which is connected with a "union" which has a fitting for the smaller tube which goes to the overflow tank/ reservoir.
The hoses on the N/A that are connected to the "union" have press fit clamps which can not be loosened or removed.
This requires the entire assembly to be replaced.
Photos to illustrate this below...........
The SRT has a slightly different oil filter housing than the N/A to hold a clamp to secure the radiator hose.
Also the SRT has a single piece upper radiator hose and the N/A has a 2 piece upper radiator hose which is connected with a "union" which has a fitting for the smaller tube which goes to the overflow tank/ reservoir.
The hoses on the N/A that are connected to the "union" have press fit clamps which can not be loosened or removed.
This requires the entire assembly to be replaced.
Photos to illustrate this below...........
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From: Aurora , ILL
Re: Upper Radiator hose ALERT
I'm very fortunate that this happened close to home today.
Last week I was at CAA in St.Louis with 100 degree temps outside and next week I'm on a 10 hour trip to Carlisle
Last week I was at CAA in St.Louis with 100 degree temps outside and next week I'm on a 10 hour trip to Carlisle
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From: Cincinnati ( Delhi )
Re: Upper Radiator hose ALERT
The crimped type clamp is nothing new. Many cars use them now and entire assemblies must be purchased. Also if you come up with a leak around one of those clamps, you can cut them off very carefully with dremel, and then reuse a regular worm type clamp.
The clip (hanger) on the SRT is in a different place because the oil filter housing sets off more to the side of the engine to give room for the oil cooler attached. Compare the filter base location to the PS pump in your two pics, NA vs SRT. The clip is in the same location, just the base is moved out.
James
The clip (hanger) on the SRT is in a different place because the oil filter housing sets off more to the side of the engine to give room for the oil cooler attached. Compare the filter base location to the PS pump in your two pics, NA vs SRT. The clip is in the same location, just the base is moved out.
James
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From: Aurora , ILL
Re: Upper Radiator hose ALERT
I see it now James.....
So then mine should also have a clamp and the piece shown in my pic must be the remaining piece of what was once a hose holder clamp ?
So then mine should also have a clamp and the piece shown in my pic must be the remaining piece of what was once a hose holder clamp ?
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From: Cincinnati ( Delhi )
Re: Upper Radiator hose ALERT
Yes Gary, that remaining piece should just lift off. Be sure to get a new one. The manual refers to it as a CLIP.
James
James
Last edited by James1549; Jul 1, 2010 at 12:05 AM.
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From: IL
Re: Upper Radiator hose ALERT
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From: IL
Re: Upper Radiator hose ALERT
Originally Posted by 70GT6
As for the leak there is a "recall" check at chrysler.com to see if the service was performed. (owners section then enter last 8 of vin)
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From: St. Clair Shores Michigan
Re: Upper Radiator hose ALERT
On my 04 the dealer had to reposistion the hose under a recall or a TSB not sure which but the 04 models had this problem since the start, as some where not correctly posistioned from the factory, if you could not get a new clip for the hose, I would use a thick/wide black tie strap to hold it in place.
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From: Aurora , ILL
Re: Upper Radiator hose ALERT
I really don't think the clip would have saved me anyway.
The hose needed to be twisted at the connection on the radiator to truly create the necessary clearance needed.
I will have the new upper hose assembly tomorrow (both hoses and the Union) and when I install it I will be sure to secure it clear of the shroud.
I plan to use a heavy wide black plastic tie wrap to secure it at the oil filter housing.
The hose needed to be twisted at the connection on the radiator to truly create the necessary clearance needed.
I will have the new upper hose assembly tomorrow (both hoses and the Union) and when I install it I will be sure to secure it clear of the shroud.
I plan to use a heavy wide black plastic tie wrap to secure it at the oil filter housing.
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From: Sun City West, AZ
Re: Upper Radiator hose ALERT
I just ordered on line thru amazon the "maglite auto clamp" mentioned in a previous thread. Looks ok ... we'll see when it get here! In the meantime I made a clip/clamp using a piece of perforated metal strapping about 6 inches long, utilizing one end hole for a small bolt and nut. The bolt (phillips head) and nut are used to hold the clamp to the fitting on the oil filter housing. I took the 6 inch strapping while it was flat and wrapped it with about 3 to 4 layers of black electrical tape. I bent down about 3/4 inch of the strap at 90 Degrees, and attached it to the filter housing fitting that has a hole in it already, using the nut and bolt. (Had to use a needle nose pliers to hold the nut, and a short phillips-head screw driver). Once tightened, I carefull bent the strap down and under the hose, and continued bending and shaping, till is fit snuggly around the hose, and
Walla ..... a clip/clamp that really doens't look bad, and might stay just like that. When I get the Maglite Auto Clamps from amazon, I may or may not use it.
Just one point, when bending the strapping, work slowly to avoid breaking it off, especially at the 90 degree bend area.
Sorry .... I don't know how to post pics .....
Thanx Gary for posting this ........
Walla ..... a clip/clamp that really doens't look bad, and might stay just like that. When I get the Maglite Auto Clamps from amazon, I may or may not use it.
Just one point, when bending the strapping, work slowly to avoid breaking it off, especially at the 90 degree bend area.
Sorry .... I don't know how to post pics .....
Thanx Gary for posting this ........
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From: Ontario
Re: Upper Radiator hose ALERT
When I first joined this forum I read through the TSB's and spotted the one about the rad hose rubbing on the fan shroud. Sure enough mine was rubbing and it had made a small mark on the hose, loosening the clamp and turning the hose gave it the required clearance.
Everyone should check their car just to be safe, you cannot be too sure that this error was fixed if it existed.
Everyone should check their car just to be safe, you cannot be too sure that this error was fixed if it existed.
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From: Mokena IL
Re: Upper Radiator hose ALERT
Gary, thanks for the heads up, when checking mine, I have the clamp off the oil filter and it appears my hose is shorter and has a ribbed twisted bend in the hose were it goes into the radiator.
Mark
Mark
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From: murfreesboro,tn
Re: Upper Radiator hose ALERT
for those wanting a clip i used a maglite auto holder from bass pro. they are 6$ in packs of 2. using a small bolt and nylock nut it fiots perfectly!!