Quick Question-- Lower Radiator Hose
 

Car: 1989 260E
170,000 miles

I just discoved a small crack in my lower radiator hose and temporarily patched it with adhesive and tape, which will not last very long.

Because they close to early, I cannot get to a dealer for a replacement until this weekend, and was wondering if places like Trak Auto, which seems to have zillions of hoses, will have one that fits my car.

Thanks.

Depending on water pump used (it changed somewhere in the M103.98 run), there are two possible lower hoses for your car. The nuerosurgeons moonlighting at Track Auto may have trouble with that, so double check them (engine ser. #. would determine which hose variation you need). Have you tried FastLane/PartShop overnight rates? Might still compare favorably with dealer prices.

Thanks jbaj,

I called Trak Auto and they do not have them (I need the shorter of the two hose variations you mentioned). They did offer to sell me "hose by the foot" which was tempting for a moment, but I decided it would be too much work to bend and trim it into shape.

Fast Lane does not have the part, so I'll just pay the $15.00 at the dealer this weekend, and pray that my "McGuyver" patch holds until then.

Still Holding
 

Surprisingly enough, my sealant and duct tape patch is holding. The car is leaking, but from the expansion tank, which is where it should. The automotive duct tape I used is turning out to be a surprise, and I believe I will make it to Friday/Saturday with no significant problems.

This raises a new question: Can you over-fill your coolant system? I (literally) topped off with water and assume the leakage is excess being kicked out.

Then I was definititely over-full, since I filled it level to the neck of the tank (my fill arrows have either worn off or I can't see them.)

Looks like it is balancing itself out since when I parked this morning there was only a small amount of leakage from the tank.

A New Question
 

I replaced the busted hose and now have a new question:

What is the biggest factor in overheating? Loss of coolant water or loss of pressure through the ruptured hose?

I was averaging a coolant temp of 90-100 degrees with the leaky hose. At most, I would lose about a quart of water over the course of a few days. After replenishing it I would still run hot after a few miles of driving, but did not lose nearly as much water during that time.

So what is the culprit -- the loss of water or loss of pressure (or a combination of both)?