As a car owner, you must agree that all cars need maintenance over time so that they remain in good condition for years. The common maintenance requirements include getting the oil change, timing belt, changing the filters, replacing the brakes, etc.

Besides all these components, there are many more components that are frequently worn, and the radiator hose is one the instance. This pushes the car owners to approach the aftermarket car part and component company to buy the best radiator hose kit. But the question that arises is how to know it is the time to replace the radiator hoses. Or what are the signs of replacing the radiator hose? Let’s understand all about radiator hoses in detail.

What do radiator hoses do?

The car engine produces a huge amount of heat when running. The cooling system in the engine is responsible for this heat in check and preventing the car engine from overheating. The radiator is one of the key parts of the cooling system that cool your engine coolant.

As the engine gets too hot, the thermostat releases engine coolant from your radiator into your engine. This coolant passes through the engine pipes to absorb heat and cool the engine. Like a radiator hose, there is also a heater hose that is a smaller hose attached to the heater core under your car dashboard to provide warmth to passengers in the car cabin. To buy an online Heater Hose Kit, you can check out the websites of aftermarket car part companies.

Typically, the car engines have two radiator hoses that include inlet hoses and an outlet hose. The inlet hoses take the hot engine coolant from the engine and pass it through the radiator, which outlet hoses transport the engine coolant from the radiator to the car engine. These radiators are generally made of durable and thick rubber to withstand hot engine coolant passing through them. No matter how durable radiator hoses are, they can be failed because of many reasons which lead you to buy the best radiator hose kit and replace it with the existing one.

Why does the radiator hose collapse?

A vacuum created inside the engine’s coolant system may cause radiator hoses to collapse. This vacuum problem may occur because of a faulty radiator cap or blocked expansion tank hose. Moreover, restricted flow through the radiator can also cause your radiator hose to collapse.

But the point is how to know when the radiator hoses are collapsed or failed. There are many common symptoms of failed radiator hose, which you should notice, so it can be replaced timely without causing further problems with the car engine.

Following are the common systems of failed or collapsed radiator hoses;

    • Leaking coolant- If you notice green fluid under your vehicle, there is a chance that your coolant is leaking. Coolants usually have a sweet smell that can come from different places, including radiator hoses. It is important to have your mechanic check the source of this problem and replace the radiator hose if needed.
    • Engine overheating– Your car engine should not be overheated. But if the engine is overheating, there may be something wrong with the cooling system. In that case, you should check your radiator hose. Since the radiator hose has been exposed to heat and pressure for years, it may likely get cracked or broken. Hence, if the engine is continued to overheat, check the radiator hose; otherwise, your engine may fail, and your car will not operate.
    • Low coolant- If you are constantly replenishing the fluid, there may be a leak in the radiator hose which will cause puddles underneath your car, especially when your vehicle is parked for several hours. Driving your car on a low coolant is not recommended. So, if you run out of coolant, get it replenished as soon as possible.
    • Collapsed radiator hose– If you look under your car and see your radiator hoses collapsed, call your local mechanic to buy the best radiator hose kit and replace it with the older one. Radiator hoses generally collapse when they are weak or soft due to coolant engine flaunt issues.
    • Broken radiator hose- Radiator hoses can be broken in various ways. Check your radiator hose for leaks, holes, cracks, collapsed, or wear. As you notice any of these signs, your radiator needs to be replaced.

The final take

Be sure you don’t drive your car with a bad radiator hose; it can affect your car’s performance and give you a very unpleasant driving experience. Instead, notice the common signs shared above and approach the aftermarket car part company to buy the best radiator hose kit.