2002 Buick Rendezvous - Heater Hose Connector

Shop Replacement Heater Hose Connectors

Heater hose connectors are part of a vehicle's heater hose assembly, which transfers and returns coolant from the engine or water pump to the heater core. Your heater hoses help circulate warm coolant throughout your vehicle, keeping your engine at a stable operating temperature and supplying warm air to the cabin as needed. One of the heater hoses moves coolant from the engine to the heater core, and the blower motor moves air across the heater core's fins - this increases air temperature before it's sent to your cabin. The other heater hose hose takes coolant that has passed through the heater core and moves it back to the engine. Heater hose connectors are used to connect the heater hoses to the coolant outlet of the engine, and may also be used as couplers to attach sections of heater hose together to make an appropriate path. The heater hose connectors on your engine can be made out of either metal or plastic, and may be designed with specific angles, quick-connections, or other designs for proper installation, which allow the heater hoses to be routed away from hot engine components that could cause wear or damage. With age and constant exposure to engine heat, your vehicle's heater hose connectors can begin to fail, and plastic heater hose connectors are especially prone to crack, split, or suffer other damage. Metal heater hose connectors may also experience corrosion which may prevent the hose or other connection points from sealing properly. Signs of a failing heater hose connector include a puddle of coolant beneath your vehicle, as well as coolant leaks near the heater hose connections while the vehicle is running. Since a bad heater hose connector can cause rapid coolant loss, you should inspect your heater hoses and connectors for signs of damage if you suspect a leak to prevent overheating and engine damage, including a blown head gasket. O'Reilly Auto Parts has the heating and cooling system parts and tools you need to perform a DIY heater hose repair, including heater hose connectors, replacement gaskets, and more. If you'd like to learn more about your vehicle, are looking for step-by-step repair instructions, or want to learn why your car is overheating, check out our How-To Hub for a wide selection of educational content.