pressure cap-if your system is tight, no leaks, then it is normal for the upper hose to be hard when the system is up to operating pressure. when it is not hard, then either the pressure cap is leaking or there is another leak somewhere else that prevents the pressure from building up like it should. Click to see full answer.
Should radiator hoses be hard when hot?
This is a really good question and the answer is no. Radiator hoses should not be hard when hot, more like fairly hard or you can say firmly. When your engine warms up and the radiator hoses are warm, a firm radiator hose is normal, even when the temperature of the car reduces or increases.
Why is the upper radiator hose under pressure?
As water heats up it expands increasing pressure in the system. Being that water flows through the radiator hose it is also under pressure. The systems are sealed to hold this pressure for one main reason. Water under pressure has a higher boiling point. One may also ask, is the upper radiator hose supposed to be hot?
What does it mean when the coolant hoses are hard?
hard hoses can be a sign of the cylinder pressure entering the cooling system because of head gasket or cracks. The hoses are suppose to get hard as the engine reaches operating temp but you should be able to squeeze them especially after a short drive where the car reached operating temp.
Is the radiator hose the location of the thermostat?
The top radiator hose is usually but not always the location of the thermostat. Either way, the top hose gets hot after the thermostat has opened. The time the thermostat takes to open depends upon factors such as:
Why is my top radiator hose so hard?
hard hoses can be a sign of the cylinder pressure entering the cooling system because of head gasket or cracks. The hoses are suppose to get hard as the engine reaches operating temp but you should be able to squeeze them especially after a short drive where the car reached operating temp.Jun 14, 2009
Should radiator hose be hard to squeeze?
0:483:448 Reasons why your Radiator Hose is hard as a rock and Swollen / too ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSystem as a result engine will overheat. And excessive pressure will build up. This will cause theMoreSystem as a result engine will overheat. And excessive pressure will build up. This will cause the upper or lower radiator hoses to swell up depending on the thermostat. Location.
Why is upper radiator hose swollen?
If your engine has overheated (due to a stuck thermostat, low coolant or for some other reason), it's possible for superheated coolant to swell the hose. Swollen hoses should be replaced as soon as possible. This applies to radiator hoses, as well as other hoses under the hood.Nov 20, 2015
How hard should radiator hoses be when hot?
While the engine is warm after a drive, squeeze the radiator hoses, paying particular attention to areas where the hose bends. A radiator hose in good condition should feel firm, but not hard. A soft hose or a hose with a soft spot should be replaced.Nov 25, 2019
When should the upper hose be hard?
The upper hose should be pretty hard anytime after the thermostat opens. If your cap is the right one then it should vent before anything happens. I probably woudlnt worry about it
What happens if your radiator cap isn't working?
If yours isn't working properly, in theory it could allow system pressures to get too high. If yours hasn't been replaced recently, they're fairly inexpensive. Might be worth replacing the cap (get the proper one - different cars have different system pressure requirements) to see what that does to the situation. Are you having any other symptoms? Maybe it's not worth worrying about....
Why is the radiator hose hard?
Yes, a radiator hose should be hard when your car engine is getting hot, because a high hot water pressure is building up inside the engine block and the radiator , the radiator cap is spring loaded, it will release the pressure to let the boiling coolant return to the overflow reservoir. If you try to open the radiator cap when the engine is hot, you will get scalded, don’t open or touch it.
What is the top radiator hose?
The top radiator hose is a tube that brings coolant from the coolant reservoir to the radiator. Normally the coolant is a liquid in its flow through the hose making it soft. If the coolant were to dry up inside and become stuck in place, then pressure would build up around the hard, dry coolant.
Why is the bottom of my radiator hose cold?
Feeling the temperature of the bottom hose can be tough on some vehicles, keeping your arm out of the way of the cooling fan. If the thermostat is stuck closed, or radiator plugged solid, the radiator bottom hose will be cold.
How to check coolant level after engine cooling?
After the engine has cooled, check the coolant level in the radiator and overflow tank and top off if necessary. Do this again in a day or two and see where the level is.
Why does coolant boil?
If there is no radiator cap, coolant can start to boil within the engine after it has warmed up some. This causes a similar situation to air pocket formation. And as this boiling coolant makes its way out the system, it will similarly push coolant out the filler neck.
How long does it take for coolant to bleed?
And when this happens, coolant will be pushed out. This is perfectly normal, and will happen until all air pockets have been bled. It can take up to a day or two of driving to completely bleed the system. Another thing that can cause coolant to be pushed out is boiling of coolant.
Why do I have air pockets in my engine?
First of all, remember that the cooling system of an engine is irregularly shaped. This causes the formation of air pockets in your cooling system when you fill it. Even if your engine has a bleeder valve to bleed a good amount of this air, there will still be SOME air pockets.
Why are my hoses hard?
kinsinger. hard hoses can be a sign of the cylinder pressure entering the cooling system because of head gasket or cracks. The hoses are suppose to get hard as the engine reaches operating temp but you should be able to squeeze them especially after a short drive where the car reached operating temp.
Can you take the radiator cap off when it's cold?
You should be able to take the radiator cap off (when the car's cold) and be able to squeeze the lines and watch the level of the water come up. It's possible tha the hoses are very old and dried out. If that 's the case, they're probably ready to crack and split open and should be replaced soon. T.
What Does it Mean When the Top Radiator Hose is Cold?
If you are just starting your car and the top radiator hose is cold then it’s because the thermostat is not open but if it remains cold then the thermostat is faulty or the coolant is not enough. The top radiator hose is not supposed to be cold so witnessing such is not normal and requires that you change the thermostat or refill the coolant.
What Does it Mean When the Top Radiator Hose is Hot?
When the top radiator hose is hot, hot coolant from the engine is passing through it to get to the radiator. What this means is that all is alright and there’s no cause for alarm. Your thermostat is open and the top radiator hose is functioning perfectly as it should.
Why is My Bottom Radiator Hose Hot?
Why is my bottom radiator hose hot? Your bottom radiator hose is hot because your thermostat is faulty. The thermostat is meant to supply coolant to the bottom radiator hose to help regulate the temperature of the engine. This means that the bottom radiator hose receives cool coolant and so it is not meant to be hot.
Why is My Top Radiator Hose Hot and Bottom Cold?
Your top radiator hose is hot and the bottom hose is cold because the different radiator hoses are doing their jobs and your radiator is in perfect condition. The job of both radiator hoses is to transport coolant in and out of the radiator but the coolant transported in both hoses is not of the same temperature.
Why is My Top Radiator Hose Hot and Bottom Cold BMW x5
BMWs have the better cooling ability and larger radiators and so if your top radiator hose is hot and the bottom is cold and your temperature is normal then there’s no reason to panic or worry; it’s totally normal.
Should Top and Bottom Radiator Hoses Be Hot?
The answer is no, your top and bottom radiator hoses should not be hot. If your top and bottom radiator hoses are hot at the same time then it’s not normal. If both radiator hoses are hot then the coolant received by both of them is hot, and it should not be so. This is caused by a faulty temperature blend door actuator.
Should Radiator Hoses be Hard When Hot?
This is a really good question and the answer is no. Radiator hoses should not be hard when hot, more like fairly hard or you can say firmly. When your engine warms up and the radiator hoses are warm, a firm radiator hose is normal, even when the temperature of the car reduces or increases.
How long is coolant good for?
It also contains a lubricant and anti-corrosive properties. It’s good for about 3 years after which it becomes harmful to your engine as it becomes acidic, which eats seals, gasket and metal.
How long to hold engine up to 2000 rpm?
Check temperature gauge and cabin heat. Bring engine up to 2000 rpm and hold for 5 minutes while checking cabin heat and checking gauge. Check cabin heat, check coolant level, shut off engine and allow cool if top up is necessary. Test drive vehicle but only if cabin heater is hot. After test drive, check for leaks.
Does coolant need to be drained?
Before attempting this project you should know, the coolant system will need to be drained refilled and air bled. Failing to bleed the system will cause an overheating condition which could cause engine damage.
Is coolant after oil critical?
The coolant system after the oil system is the next most critical system. A relatively simple and inexpensive issue can develop into something far more serious and expensive. So you are absolutely right to check out your suspicions. Here’s a quick overview.
Can you bleed a mini van?
Note some vehicles can be difficult to bleed, especially mini vans with rear heating systems. If it’s proving difficult to get heat from the cabin, jack the front of the vehicle so that the coolant reservoir is the highest point in the system.
Does the top radiator hose get hot?
The top radiator hose is usually but not always the location of the thermostat. Either-way, the top hose gets hot after the thermostat has opened. The time the thermostat takes to open depends upon factors such as: Coolant temperature. Ambient temperature.
