4 Signs of a bad radiator hose
Radiator hoses, at first glance, don't look too important. However, the radiator hose's function has an important purpose in easing the engine cooling process, specifically as an engine coolant channel to flow from the engine to the radiator or vice versa.
Without a good radiator hose, the coolant will leak and disrupt the entire engine cooling system, and the effect can seriously damage the engine.
Therefore, in examining the engine cooling system, it is also necessary to sift through this radiator hose. So how do you know the signs of a bad radiator hose?
The following article will share information about a radiator hose's signs that must replace soon. Check out the info below
1. Torn/Shattered radiator hoses
The most apparent characteristic if the radiator hose has to be replaced is when the radiator hose is torn or broken. The condition of a torn or broken radiator hose can create a radiator coolant leak where the effect can do heavy damage to the engine such as bent cylinder head, jammed piston and cylinder block scratch.
A torn radiator hose can be caused by various factors, such as the age of use, being rubbed by other complex objects around the radiator hose, and being hit by sharp gravel while driving. If you find the signs during this inspection, it can be a sign to replace the radiator hose.
2. Stiff and cracked radiator hoses
The radiator hose's characteristics that we must replace next are when the radiator hose looks cracked or stiff when it is held. Radiator hoses are generally made of rubber-coated with a braid in the middle.
Along with the service life and workload due to the radiator coolant water's heat, this radiator hose rubber will gradually become stiff, inelastic, and even cracked.
In some conditions, we have found that the hose's outer appearance still looks good, but when the radiator hose is pressed, the hose feels hard and has a lot of cracks on the inside. If you find a radiator hose like this, you should immediately replace it with a new one.
3. Bloating when exposed to pressure
The radiator hose is specially made so that it is not easily deformed when there is high pressure in the hose. Generally, there are strong threads inside the radiator hose, so when there is pressure in the engine cooling duct, the radiator hose does not bulge.
If you find the radiator hose bulging when there is pressure, this indicates that the hose's thread has broken so that the hose rubber becomes inflated. Of course, this should not be allowed because the hose can fail at any time without us knowing it, which can cause the engine to overheat.
Also read:4.The radiator hose used for more than five years
The last characteristic of a radiator hose to be replaced is when the radiator hose has been used for more than five years. Yes, the age of radiator hoses generally only lasts up to 5 years.
For more than five years, usually, the hose will experience signs of deterioration such as cracks and breaks. Therefore, it is highly recommended to replace the radiator hose when the hose is more than five years old to avoid breaking the hose at any time without us knowing it.