Quick numpty question

[Simpo Two]

Posting this photo earlier reminded me that the engine currently has a non-standard coolant hose on the top with nasty jubilee clips instead of the proper ones:



I've found the proper parts at Eurospares for a mere £9.48 + postage. However, bearing in mind I am in no way a car mechanic, is it possible to change this hose just by 'swapping them really quickly'? Draining coolant is well beyond my knowledge base and I wonder if the system might have airlocks afterwards = overheating = car blows up. Ta!

[kevin_cambs_uk]

So this is how I see things going, although I am no mechanic.

You release the jubilee clip, from the top end, coolant is going to leak everywhere. Then you have got to try and get the other end off while still trying to keep the top end from spilling coolant everywhere. Then you have to start to put the replacement on...You would need another pair of hands

Can't see it going well at all mate.

Its always the same, the part is dirt cheap, getting it on costs a fortune

Kev

[Jon39]

Very happy to guide you.
I was shown how to do it by Bodger Heath-Robinson.

Run the engine until the coolant is very hot.
Put on fire proof gloves and an astronauts helmet.

Use a Mole Wench to tightly squeeze the rubber hose.
Tighten a second Wild Wench on to the centre of your new hose, in preparation for fitting.
Undo and remove one end of the rubber hose.
Work very fast to fit the new hose to the open tube. Hopefully the Wench should keep the coolant in the tube.
Now undo the other end of the original hose.
Work very fast to fit the new hose to the open tube, if necessary blow as you fit, to restore any pressure that might have escaped.

Warning - Do not attempt this at home, without supervision by a member of the Magic Circle.
Hope that is helpful. Better than those famous workshop books which just say, 'Fit a new tube'.
A & E are quite busy these days, so don't try doing anything with hot liquids.

[Matt_E_Mulsion]

Does it need a new hose or just the clips?

There is also a jubilee clip on the big hose in the picture too.

[Simpo Two]

Matt_E_Mulsion said:

Does it need a new hose or just the clips?

There is also a jubilee clip on the big hose in the picture too.

The hose is quite new, it was fitted last year. The car was at my friendly local garage for something else and while the bonnet was up with the engine running I noticed the original hose was weeping from a tiny split. So he found a bit of standard hose and two jubilee clips and swapped it over in a few minutes. It works but just doesn't look very nice.

I reckon I can swap it over without losing too much coolant, it was more the airlock thought that bothered me. Basically, if something works on something as complicated as a V12 I don't like to bugger about with it!

The big hose hasn't been touched during my ownership; should it have some other kind of clip? I'm not taking that fker off!

[CoolHands]

You won’t get an air lock from that piddly hose. Are you buying some crimp pliers or similar if the new clamps are crimp style?

[Simpo Two]

CoolHands said:

You won’t get an air lock from that piddly hose. Are you buying some crimp pliers or similar if the new clamps are crimp style?

The clamps would be the same as the originals - 'HOSECLAMP SPRG 17X15 Genuine Aston Martin 702904'. Will ordinary pliers work?

Possibly the cheapest part ever at 99p + VAT!

Let me guess - the special pliers are £1,396.97 aren't they...


ETA A quick google for crimp pliers suggests they are not crimp style.

Edited by Simpo Two on Sunday 21st May 23:21

[CoolHands]

You can buy some cheap pliers like this to help with the spring clamps

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Removal-Installation-Repa...

Assuming this type of clamp

[Reynardff1600]

It’s not worth worrying about.

[Matt_E_Mulsion]

Simpo Two said:

The big hose hasn't been touched during my ownership; should it have some other kind of clip? I'm not taking that fker off!

I wouldn't have thought that it would have left the factory with a jubilee clip on the big hose. If it's the aesthetic look that you are going for, I would change the big clip too.

[Simpo Two]

CoolHands said:

You can buy some cheap pliers like this to help with the spring clamps

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Removal-Installation-Repa...

Assuming this type of clamp

Interesting, thanks. Whilst normal pliers might slip off due to the angle, I think pincers would work.

The big jubilee clip further down will have stay as I'm not taking stuff that important apart. But the top two are an eyesore.

[KevinBird]

It's only a bleed back to the top-up tank from the thermostat, so there is very little water there

With the engine cold, release the pressure in the coolant system by undoing the top-up tank cap. Retighten it

Place plenty of rag or paper under the pipe. Undo the top Jubilee clip, you may need to use pliers to turn the end of the hose to loosen it and pull it off. Have the new hose ready with the hose clips already fitted mid-way. Small ceramic tile nippers will work on the clips. Lubricate the end of the hose with WD-40 and slide it on. Repeat on the other end.

Then use the nippers to open the clips and slide them into position. You'll lose some water, but it will be minimal. Run up to temp, let it cool and check the coolant level. Top up if required.

Edited by KevinBird on Monday 22 May 10:48

[Simpo Two]

Thanks Kevin, that sounds idiot-proof

[geresey]

Simpo Two said:

Thanks Kevin, that sounds idiot-proof

In my experience there is no such thing as idiot proof when it comes to cars or diy. My record is exceptional, blood is spilt every time…

So how did it go???

[Simpo Two]

geresey said:

So how did it go???

The parts arrived this morning from Nicholas Mee so I took the plunge (having first re-read Kevin's sage advice above!)

I was surprised how far the wings on the new clips stick out. Tests showed an adjustable wrench had enough 'gape' to get over them and close them enough to get them over the new hose. So, wriggle the clips into the middle of the new hose and start getting the top jubilee clip off...

First embuggerance was how tight the old hose was - the ends of the metal pipes are swaged, and coupled with the way the jubilee clips had deformed the rubber, it took much twisting and pulling to get them off. Didn't want to cut the old hose off just in case I needed it again! I started with the top end and was surprised how far the metal pipe went into hose. I'd put a tiny bit of WD40 into the end of the new hose but I discovered that coolant is incredibly slippery so it did that job itself.

Getting the top clip over the swage needed more effort but was OK as the wings were well placed. The lower clip was a struggle - this swage seemed bigger and the wrench didn't have that much adjustment. In the end I used a small g-cramp to apply the force over the range needed.

Some coolant had dribbled onto the chassis below so I took the slam panel off and cleaned it up - and took the opportunity to polish the maker's plate

To my surprise the rubber hose could be pushed up and down the metal tube even with the clip on, which didn't seem very secure, so I adjusted the clips' position to just behind the swage for a hopefully leak-free fit.

What do you think? I haven't started the engine yet...

[KevinBird]

Looks perfect, great job!

[kevin_cambs_uk]

Well done!

Not only looks great but think of the money you saved doing it yourself.

Kev

[Jon39]

That is excellent work, John.
Well done.

Has your main dealer been in contact yet?
Head hunting.
Workshop Trainer (Quality Working Standards) - position available, only selected applicants may apply.

[Simpo Two]

KevinBird said:

Looks perfect, great job!

Almost as easy as you said Your post probably made the difference. I did a 20 mile trip yesterday and there's not a leak anywhere!

kevin_cambs_uk said:

Well done!

Not only looks great but think of the money you saved doing it yourself.

Kev

I'd probably have left it as it was. I got it into my head that the hose was £120... so when I saw it for about £6 it was suddenly viable.

Jon39 said:

That is excellent work, John.
Well done.

Has your main dealer been in contact yet?
Head hunting.
Workshop Trainer (Quality Working Standards) - position available, only selected applicants may apply.

I could get a job at Stratton; I'd probably be the best technician there

[F1NDW]

I thought they left the factory with Oetiker clamps fitted which are far neater.


https://hcl-clamping.co.uk/collections/oetiker-hos...