Tricks for getting a coolant hose to seal

[NiceCupOfTea]

Hi folks,

Got a coolant hose that doesn't quite fit, so coolant is dripping out before the system's even under pressure!

Any tips on getting a better fit? It's got one of those spring clips on at the mo - would a jubilee clip help? Any kind of sealing compound?

[heppers75]

Jubilee clip for certain.

[B'stard Child]

NiceCupOfTea said:

Hi folks,

Got a coolant hose that doesn't quite fit, so coolant is dripping out before the system's even under pressure!

Any tips on getting a better fit? It's got one of those spring clips on at the mo - would a jubilee clip help? Any kind of sealing compound?

Whats it going onto - alloy, plastic or steel stub?

[GroundEffect]

If a POPP clamp doesn't seal it, a worm-drive clamp wont help much.

WHY is it the wrong size?

[NiceCupOfTea]

- a thermostat housing - either alloy or steel.
- because it's the wrong (but similar) hose.

[XG332]

easiest in the long run is to get the correct one. second use a GOOD quality stainless steel pipe clamp and do it up tight.

[GroundEffect]

NiceCupOfTea said:

- a thermostat housing - either alloy or steel.
- because it's the wrong (but similar) hose.

You wont seal it with a clamp, then. Get the correct hose

[NiceCupOfTea]

Yeah, I know. I was given the hose by the guy buying it and told to bodge it on (the current one has a sender for a water gauge that I am hanging onto).

The downside is that I need to get the car to him in the next day or so so don't have time to find a hose on ebay and don't really want to spend £20 on a new one...

[calibrax]

Cooling systems are pressurised, so even the tiniest gap will leak. As a temp solution I'd wrap some tape around the part the hose is going onto so that it's closer to the size of the hose, then clamp the hose on with a genuine (wide) Jubilee clip. Tighten it as much as you can, then tighten it a bit more

[Fleckers]

if its leaking before its even pressurised then no matter how hard you clamp it you wont get it to seal

get the correct hose and job done

[OllieC]

PTFE tape ?

I 'fixed' a problem like this using silicone a few months back (I know I know), It hasnt started leaking again yet !

[Chicane-UK]

If it's the correct spring clip, and OE pipework I don't understand why it isn't sealing. Jubilee clip is your next option but I guess be careful to not overtighten and crack any plastic pipework!