What Are Radiator Hoses?
The radiator hoses on your car connect the engine to the rest of the cooling system and allow coolant to travel between the radiator or other system components. Your upper radiator hose typically carries hot coolant to the radiator to be cooled, and your lower radiator hose usually connects to the water pump or another water inlet to circulate coolant back into the engine. As a radiator hose is used over the course of many years, the rubber may start to dry out, crack, collapse, or split. This can cause a coolant leak or a lack of coolant flow, which may lead to overheating and, if left unchecked, complete engine failure. It is a good idea to inspect your radiator hoses every time you're under the hood. If you notice your radiator hose leaking, if it is noticeably hard or brittle, spongy and soft, or has visible cracks or bulges, it should be replaced as soon as possible. Radiator hose clamps may also loosen or suffer damage with time, which could cause a leak where the hose connects to the radiator or engine. Make sure to take the time during your routine automotive maintenance to check the condition of your radiator hoses, hose clamps, and other cooling system connections to ensure they are in good, leak-free condition. When you're ready for a replacement radiator hose or other cooling system repair, shop O'Reilly Auto Parts for the right replacement hoses, radiators, thermostats, gaskets, coolant, and more.
