Top Radiator hose

[discoveraus]

Hello all,

I had my top radiator hose fail at about 2.00 am last night. I am in the RACV so I was soon running again with lots of sealing tape wrapped around the hose and sealing the small hole. Thanks RACV, good service in the middle of the night.

What I was unhappy about is the fact the the hose was 8 months old and the old one was only replaced as a precaution to improve reliability as the old hose was OK but ageing.

The hose had been rubbing on the aluminium casting for the A/C compressor discharge fitting which was razor sharp on the front edge. The hose had been cut through and developed a significant hole over 8 months and 16,000 km.

The "mechanic" who fitted the hose was careless and installed the hose so it could rub, careful fitting can provide a 10 mm gap from the cutting edge and the edge can be filed down to a 3 mm radius quite easily. This wont be a problem again on my D2.

The other problem I encountered was with the bypass connection hose clamp. It was  the standard LR spring type which had been fitted with some magic tool which I dont own. I could not access the clamp lugs with any tool in my shed. After about 2 hours I got it loose and was able to finish my repair without further trouble, if I had been on the Birdsville track I would still be in trouble trying to replace the hose.

I suggest the you all check that your top hose is not rubbing on the A/C casting and that you can access the lower hose connection because you dont want to be stuck with a big job in the middle of no-where with a hose you cannot replace.

regards

Ross

[Winaje]

Hi Ross, thanks for the alert. I replaced the hose a few months ago, but made sure to use normal screw type hose clamps as I didn't want to have a similar problem that you found. I also rotated the clamps for easier access. You reckon that the top hose is bad; try the little hose from the oil cooler to the rear metal pipe. Took me an hour or so to replace with the turbo off and the engine dead cold; would hate to have to replace it on a hot engine on the side of the road!

[discoveraus]

Thanks Will,

I shudder at the thought, there are lots of little hoses around the engine which would be difficult to access anytime, luckily small diameter hoses are subject to lower stresses at high pressures than larger diameter hose are and are less prone to failure.

The D2 is not built for easy repair on a hot dusty/wet track thats for sure.

regards

Ross