2011 Kia Sorento - Bypass Hose

What Is A Coolant Bypass Hose?

A vehicle's coolant bypass hose, also called a water pump bypass hose, circulates coolant throughout the engine and helps keep coolant hot spots from generating inside the engine when the thermostat is closed. Depending on a vehicle's configuration, bypass hoses are used to send and return coolant to the water pump, engine block, and cylinder heads to keep coolant moving. Some bypass hoses may connect to the intake manifold and water pump, depending on the vehicle and engine design. This constant flow of coolant within your engine helps avoid extreme engine temperatures, reach operating temperature more quickly when the engine is started, and prevent damage to the water pump, cylinder heads, and more. Coolant bypass hoses can be made from rubber, metal, plastic, or a mix of those three materials. Since warm coolant is regularly flowing through the bypass hose, it can degrade the hose and could cause issues with the cooling system, engine, heater, as well as overall vehicle performance. Signs of a bad coolant bypass hose include an overheating engine, cracking or splitting of the hose,especially near the hose ends, or if you see or smell a coolant leak. Since coolant is vital to your vehicle's cooling system, a bad bypass hose can negatively affect a car's health, performance, and can cause an overheating engine, or worse, a blown head gasket. Ignoring cooling system issues may cause irreversible damage to your vehicle's internal components, so it's best to repair any issues you notice as soon as possible and to frequently check your coolant level and condition. Find the cooling system parts and tools your vehicle needs at O'Reilly Auto Parts, where we carry water pump bypass hoses, concentrated coolant and pre-mixed antifreeze, funnels, and much more. Need more information before beginning your inspection or repairs? Visit our How-To Hub for helpful resources and articles like what fluid is leaking from your car, how to flush and fill antifreeze, and much more to help you get the job done right.