Usually with a head gasket leak which is leaking into the cooling jacket of the engine, you would not get a sucked in condition on the radiator hose. The gasket leak does put a lot of outward pressure on the cooling system, causing a swelled or bloated look, and a hard hose. I would look at a "sucked in" hose as being pretty normal on a cold engine. That is why some hoses have that coil of wire installed in them and I would not worry about it. Do keep an eye on your coolant recovery bottle and add when it gets to the low level line when cold. Why tap water? Why not have a gallon of premixed antifreeze on hand and pour a little straight from the gallon when needed. Your antifreeze protection will always be good and it also refreshes the additives in your antifreeze.

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Junqueyardjim
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis



1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage,
Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it!