Csefiroth0

Hello,

I ordered upper/lower radiator hoses as well as AST radiator hoses today and I plan on replacing the old ones with them myself. However, i'm not quite sure what is the best way to access the area (to replace the upper/lower hoses). The air box is definitely in the way of the upper hose. Can you guys give me any tips/suggestions (i.e. how did you do it if you've done it)?

Thank you.

adam c

iTrader: (2)

Just pull off whatever is in the way. After removing the airbox, you will have access to the upper hose. It's been a while since I have been underneath the car, but I believe that the belly pan is the only item in the way to access the lower hose.

Not a difficult job

jeremyb

Exactly what Adam said. Air box and underbelly tray are your only obstacles.

Jeremy

P.S. If the hoses become difficult, remember to work the hose off by clamping it with channel locks or something and twisitng left and right to break it loose... don't just keep pulling and yanking.

dgeesaman

iTrader: (7)

Or use a knife to cut a lengthwise slit on the old hose. Then peel it back to get it unstuck.

I do recall the lower hose is a PITA to get my hands around what with the steering rack and crossmember still in the way. Have a set of long needle-nose pliers handy. The bent-nose type is better yet. Remember to not have your face under the hose when you're removing it

Csefiroth0

is there still coolant in the hoses after i drain the system?

Rotarded

Yes, there will still be some coolant in the upper hose.

mfigr1

Since your changing your hoses and putting fresh coolant I would recommend draining the the motor as well. If I recall there is a plug on the driver side of the motor that allows you to drain the remaining coolant left. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. This will allow you to fill her up with a clean fluids. I like to throw in some redline water wetter and run distilled water apart from the anti-freeze.

adam c

iTrader: (2)

I would correct you if you were wrong, but you are not

alberto_mg

you really might as well do the turbo coolant hoses while you are at it. if anything those are the hoses that will probably need it most. there was a thread by damonb where he noticed that if those coolant hoses burst/leaked it could cause a fire or something like that.

Csefiroth0

do you know where i can buy those? are they hard to replace?

mfigr1

That's funny (not really) because it happened to me this past Wed. I was sitting at a light when I noticed steam coming out from underneath the hood. I pulled over shut it off and it looked like a geyser from behind the smog pump. I towed it home and checked it out once it cooled down. I could squeeze the upper radiator hose and hear air then suction (when released) coming from behind the smog pump. I towed it to the shop and it ended up being exactly that. One of the turbo coolant hoses bursted. Luckily I shut it off right away so everything else checked out fine. I did a new radiator and all new hoses about 1.5 years ago, the ones I didn't change were the ones that blew. Both of them were replaced and the coolant system pressure checked and it all looks good. MAzdatrix sells the hoses fairly cheap. Apparently one of the hoses is hard to get too so i didn't attempt to do this myself since i don't have the time and patience to screw something up on my own right now

Csefiroth0

Dang. Sounds like i should just get those out of the way too. I had a problem with my water pump and then a day later had to replace a seeping AST, then the upper hose cracked. I was lucky to be a minute from home so i barely even noticed it until i pulled in. It seems like there are a series of weak points in my cooling system and I just can't seem to quell it. That's why I'm replacing all these hoses.

Csefiroth0

... on that note... i may sound naive but... from the description of my cooling issues, could there be too much pressure in the system. if so, could i check that pressure myself?