Removing radiator hoses on a GMC Jimmy or Chevy Blazer
Cooling Systems Repairs:

Removing Radiator Hoses
On A 1999 GMC Jimmy Or Chevy Blazer

This Article May Apply To GM Full-Size Trucks And SUV's
 

In This Article:

Hose clamps are moved aside, the rubber is separated from the fitting, and the hose is pulled off.

Related Articles:
Skill Level: 2 (Basic) Time Taken: A Few Minutes

By Bruce W. Maki, Editor

Start:

Removing radiator hoses is often necessary when doing cooling system repairs. When cooling system hoses become swollen or deformed it's a good idea to replace them.

Some hose manufacturers recommend replacing hoses every 4 years. I think that's a bit extreme, but if car is more than 8 to 10 years old I often replace hoses when I remove them for other repairs.

Before removing any hoses, the coolant must be drained.

Removing hose clamps with channel-lock pliers.

Using a pair of Channel-Lock pliers, I removed the spring clamp from the end of the radiator hose.

The goal here is just to move the spring clamp away from the area where the hose overlaps the tube.

Usually I move the clamp along the hose until it's beyond the fitting, which I can usually feel by squeezing the hose.

 

I pushed a curved hook tool under the edge of the rubber hose to break it free. Then I slid the hook tool sideways around the circumference of the tube.

Cooling system hoses on older cars usually stick to the fitting and need to be separated before they can be removed.

 Hook tool used to separate stuck hose from fitting.

 

Removing radiator hose. Reaching from the driver's side of the car, I twisted the radiator hose back-and-forth, and pulled it off.

 

Using the same procedure, I removed the other end of the hose where it entered the radiator.

Then I removed the upper radiator hose from the car. I held the ends up because there was still some coolant in the hose, which I dumped into a catch basin.

 Removing hose from radiator.

 

Lower Radiator Hose:

Cutting lower radiator hose to remove it when stuck to fitting.

On this repair, I couldn't get the lower radiator hose off, so I made a slit in the end (red arrow), and then it came right off.

Of course, I would only cut the hose if I was going to replace it.

 

To disconnect the lower hose from the radiator, I moved the spring clamp (red arrow) with a pair of Channel-Lock pliers. Clamp location on lower radiator hose, GMC Jimmy or Chevy Blazer.

 

Replacing the radiator hose is generally the opposite of removal.

Tip: Pushing a rubber hose onto a metal or plastic fitting can be difficult if the end of the hose is dry. When installing any rubber hose, I dab a little water (or coolant) around the inside opening of the hose, and it usually slips on the fitting without a problem.

More Info:

Tools Used:

  • Channel-Lock Pliers
  • Curved Hook Tool:

Materials Used:

  • New Radiator Hose

Related Articles:

 

 

  
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Written January 6, 2009