Went to look at a Buick Regal, because I know the motor well. I noticed that the rad to overflow hose had two cuts in it. Looks like its from a drive belt. Would this turn you off of buying the vehicle?
Torn radiator overflow hose a deal breaker?
- Thread starter Shaman
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How much and how readily available is the replacement hose?
Probably $20ish. I am not as concerned about the hose itself, but what it may entail. The car was on the lot for 4 months. had been on several test drives. The dealer didn't notice it until I showed them. It's just the overflow, and I can see how it got cut, but what problems could it cause? It's been cut for at least 4 months.
No bid deal, use it to your advantage. probably cut because its disconnected from the clip that holds it about 1/2 way.
I assume this is an un-pressurized reservoir.
As the engine heats up, coolant can move from the radiator to the overflow bottle through this hose. As the engine cools, air (from the broken hose) moves to the radiator instead of coolant causing the radiator to be lower on coolant.
Open the rad cap and see if its low on coolant. I cant imagine much would have leaked out but that hose is actually an important part of the cooling system.
As the engine heats up, coolant can move from the radiator to the overflow bottle through this hose. As the engine cools, air (from the broken hose) moves to the radiator instead of coolant causing the radiator to be lower on coolant.
Open the rad cap and see if its low on coolant. I cant imagine much would have leaked out but that hose is actually an important part of the cooling system.
$2 fix.hardly a deal breaker as that hose is always getting chewed up by the belt.
Originally Posted By: jegs
Take off the radiator cap and see where the water level is. If it's full or close to it there shouldn't be a problem.
I also wouldn't worry. Just make sure it's still got good belt tension and fix the hose.
Take off the radiator cap and see where the water level is. If it's full or close to it there shouldn't be a problem.
I also wouldn't worry. Just make sure it's still got good belt tension and fix the hose.
ls1mike
$50 Site Donor 2025
No worries...See Sig.
Until 1975 no cars had overflow systems and worked just fine. Remember the water pump makes pressure go up through the engine, so it's all touching water. If there's an air bubble it's in the radiator.
Then the marginally engineered Chevy Vega came out and they had to rig up an overflow system to keep the rad full.
Then the marginally engineered Chevy Vega came out and they had to rig up an overflow system to keep the rad full.
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