Your perferred tools - radiator hoses

[03protege]

Hey guys I pulled my engine and found the most frustrating part fighting with radiator hoses that hadn't been removed in 165k miles. Now that I found a wrecked low mile car with the same motor I will being going through the same process again.

Anyway what is your method/tool choice for removing stubborn radiator/transmission/oil cooler/vacuum hoses?

 

[turbodave]

Channel locks are what I reach for first. Don't try to pull the hose off, just use the pliers to turn the hose breaking it free from the radiator/waterpump/heater core etc.. Once the hose is free it should pull off easily enough. I also have a couple of hose pulling picks that you can get between the hose and the tube to break the seal, but pliers are usually my first choice.

If your not saving the hoses, a utility knife and a few cuts, followed by prying the hose off works.

 

[otis66]

I use these but you can get cheaper ones.
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=646478&group_ID=681665
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=646480&group_ID=681665

 

[I van putski]

Yep. I use the snap on picks also.
Removing the hoses is one of the first steps of an engine pull.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

 

[otis66]

I just found this. This set would do the trick.
http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-16597-mayhew-tools-60008.aspx

 

[I van putski]

Exactly! Plus you will find a hundred other uses for them. Such as back scratching etc.

 

[turbodave]

This is the set I have, those snap-ons look nice but as a hobbyist I can't justify the cost.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-4-pc...0947077000P?prdNo=10&blockNo=10&blockType=G10

 

[kazlx]

If they are that hard to remove, you shouldn't be re-using them anyway.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

yes, no need to spend big money. any hose picks will work.

even harborfreight hose pick is good.

 

[rlitman]

If they are that hard to remove, you shouldn't be re-using them anyway.

Exactly.

 

[Milton Shaw]

My experience on heater core is if you use channel locks you will have to replace the heater core. The only way is cut hoses off heater core and be very gentile or the stubs wil break off. Same on radiator hoses also. Now the engine end is something that you can usually force off with channel locks. At 165k miles hoses should be changed anyway. Cheap compared to to the engine cost anyway.

 

[GRX]

Did a complete coolant flush with new hoses & thermostat on my '69 Chevy truck (in sig below) just a few days ago. The hoses had been on there for who knows how long. Pushing my luck I guess. A pair of tongue and groove pliers came out first, and were effective on the top radiator hose and heater hoses. Notice I didn't say Channel Locks since they are Proto brand If those don't work a small screwdriver is used to work under the hose. On my lower radiator hose I had to break out the Benchmade knife and cut it off.

 

[turbodave]

My experience on heater core is if you use channel locks you will have to replace the heater core. The only way is cut hoses off heater core and be very gentile or the stubs wil break off. Same on radiator hoses also. Now the engine end is something that you can usually force off with channel locks. At 165k miles hoses should be changed anyway. Cheap compared to to the engine cost anyway.

True, the heater core is easy to damage with pliers, should have added that to my initial advice. I still find sometimes that a pliers will do the job if you're careful not squeeze too hard and the hose hasn't been on there forever. For a 165k mile car with original hoses I would be using the utility knife.

 

[Brownsfan]

Exactly! Plus you will find a hundred other uses for them. Such as back scratching etc.

The top one in the tray is the best back scratcher ever. You will find a thousand other uses for all those hook tools.

 

[03protege]

Thanks for the input everyone, Quite a few of them I did wind up taking the knife to but I didn't feel that was needed. I guess with that many miles from now on I will just use the knife everytime.

Also thanks for the link otis those Mayhews look right up my alley.

 

[fourjeepin]

Utility knife. Hoses that old probably aren't even good for emergency spares. Anyone else keep the old ones in the tool box or under the hood for roadside repairs?

 

[dgreen1069]

I'm about to pick up this kit:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002EYI19M/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[CWP1616L]

I use a radiator hose pick. Snap-on.

 

[Brownsfan]

I have used all the hook tools in my snap on set for something other than radiator hoses. I have never used one for a radiator hose well ever. I use them a lot to pull a target wire out of a bundle of wires. The are not very pointy and won't damage or pierce a wire because it's sharp and pointy.

 

[davesnothere]

When replacing them, razor blades. When some idiot is too cheap to replace them, snapon radiator picks.

 

[redwrench60]

Hose picks are the proper tool. Channellocks will bite into hose and cause damage and a razor knife?.....really? let's see the customer or better yet let's see warranty pay for every hose I cut off, not to mention all the extra work I've now made for myself because I won't buy a simple hose pick.

 

[Danglerb]

Once you use the hose picks the other ways don't seem too bright.

Even if I NEVER plan to put the hose back on, I rarely cut them because a lot of times I need the intact to find a replacement that actually fits.

For smaller hoses the Lisle hose pliers are great. Not the grab type with a loop nose, but flat V shaped jaws you put behind the hose on the pipe and when you squeeze the grip the jaws spread and push off the hose.

 

[03protege]

Once you use the hose picks the other ways don't seem too bright.

Even if I NEVER plan to put the hose back on, I rarely cut them because a lot of times I need the intact to find a replacement that actually fits.

For smaller hoses the Lisle hose pliers are great. Not the grab type with a loop nose, but flat V shaped jaws you put behind the hose on the pipe and when you squeeze the grip the jaws spread and push off the hose.

I was wondering if someone would mention those, I actually have had those bookmarked. I plan on ordering them with my next tooltopia order.

http://www.tooltopia.com/lisle-47900.aspx

 

[superautobacs]

I find the Lisle hose separators to be a hit or miss. For one, there needs to be enough space for access, and there needs to be space between the hose end and the tube end. It depends on the situation.

 

[tyheuser]

I always try a use a hose pick, the harbor frieght ones have some goofy handles but work pretty good they have 3 different ones with different bends, there cheap enough buy all 3. The craftsman cotter pin puller works great for this to thats what I use more then the others, I cant justify paying for snap on for a hose pick. Channel locks work to but if your not replacing a hose be careful if its stubborn dont squeeze or twist to hard or you will tear the hose, If you can get a pick behind it dont do it this way! I only do this if there is a access reason or on a small hose like 3/8 etc they usually break loose easy and they dont really have much extra room to slip a pick in there. If the hose is hard to get at, your replacing it, and have reached your f*ck it point use a razor blade. NEVER remove a heater hose on the heater core side unless your replacing it and if you do CAREFULLY cut it off!

 

[rob0781]

Channel locks are what I reach for first. Don't try to pull the hose off, just use the pliers to turn the hose breaking it free from the radiator/waterpump/heater core etc.. Once the hose is free it should pull off easily enough. I also have a couple of hose pulling picks that you can get between the hose and the tube to break the seal, but pliers are usually my first choice.

If your not saving the hoses, a utility knife and a few cuts, followed by prying the hose off works.

This is my exact method as well

 

[I van putski]

I was wondering if someone would mention those, I actually have had those bookmarked. I plan on ordering them with my next tooltopia order.

http://www.tooltopia.com/lisle-47900.aspx

I'm not liking the look of those. Maybe they'd work for vacuum lines.

 

[bimmerZ5]

on some European cars, they now use a plastic hose connector that seals with an o-ring and a locking spring. no hose pick will help and using the wrong pliers will damage the plastic neck on the side you don't want to damage (radiator, t-stat housing, etc.). after much struggling I asked a tech at the dealer and was given a good tip. soak the area with wd40 and blow the wd40 with a blowgun to push it under the connector towards the o-ring. let it soak for a while and work on something else. then just pull it off by hand. it actually worked.

 

[NHBandit]

I found the hose picks to be too light duty for stubborn hoses. I use my Snap On cotter pin remover. It's like a big hose pick on steroids. Now & then I even use it for cotter pins..

 

[bcradio]

Utility knife. Hoses that old probably aren't even good for emergency spares. Anyone else keep the old ones in the tool box or under the hood for roadside repairs?

Nope!

I have all original hoses still on my 300k miles camry with no intention of changing them anytime soon. They are still in excellent shape. I guess I'm just used to newer than 1990 model cars where this isn't much of an issue anymore.

How do you guys not puncture the hose when trying to take them off with a pick? I'm always worried about that and therefore never use sharp objects on them

 

[metaleltr]

I use these, but can't find any reference to them other than this picture.

 

[redwrench60]

Nope!

I have all original hoses still on my 300k miles camry with no intention of changing them anytime soon. They are still in excellent shape. I guess I'm just used to newer than 1990 model cars where this isn't much of an issue anymore.

How do you guys not puncture the hose when trying to take them off with a pick? I'm always worried about that and therefore never use sharp objects on them

Hose picks aren't very sharp. They have enough of a point to be able to slip it between a hose and a water neck then work it around to release the hose but not sharp enough to puncture the hose if used properly. The first few times you use them you see what you can get away with.
Like NHbandit said above I also use my cotter pin puller to release smaller stubborn hoses due to its shape and strength.

 

[GRX]

Hose picks are the proper tool. Channellocks will bite into hose and cause damage and a razor knife?.....really? let's see the customer or better yet let's see warranty pay for every hose I cut off, not to mention all the extra work I've now made for myself because I won't buy a simple hose pick.

.... because I want to re-use the old worn out hoses, and my 40+ year old vehicles
are still under warranty

 

[KinzeMech]

Utility knife. Hoses that old probably aren't even good for emergency spares. Anyone else keep the old ones in the tool box or under the hood for roadside repairs?

I used to keep a old used one as a spare under the hood, but seeing as hoses have improved to the point where failures are just too rare to prepare for, I no longer bother with it.
I do still stash the old serpentine belt under the hood somewhere the first time it wears out, but I've never needed one as an emergency spare.

 

[Danglerb]

I'm not liking the look of those. Maybe they'd work for vacuum lines.

In actual practice they work great. Pushing the end of the hose makes it tend to bell out, pulling on a hose does the opposite drawing it tight like a Chinese finger trap. Works well even on larger breather hoses, but not much use on something the size of a radiator hose.

You don't have to get fully behind the end of the hose. It helps, and I will sometimes use a smaller pick to free up the end, but as long as you are close to the end the effect is about the same. The downside is that the serrated V in the jaws can damage the hose if you are not careful.

WD40 is cheap and handy for a LOT of tasks, but if it drys it sticks the hose on a fitting like glue. I only use it to put on a hose I never plan to remove intact, like if you need to splice a hose.

I haven't run across any of the Oring sealing stuff, kind of like PEX or whatever its called? Is there some kind of special release tool? I'm thinking I would use some Dow 111 when I put them in.

 

[KinzeMech]

In actual practice they work great. Pushing the end of the hose makes it tend to bell out, pulling on a hose does the opposite drawing it tight like a Chinese finger trap. Works well even on larger breather hoses, but not much use on something the size of a radiator hose.

This is true. In fact, in some cases when a pick is not available, I've had greater luck breaking a hose loose grabbing it by hand and pushing it further onto the barb. A little back and forth twist helps a lot, too. Once it bells and lets go, it will pull off without fuss.

 

[Brownsfan]

I found the hose picks to be too light duty for stubborn hoses. I use my Snap On cotter pin remover. It's like a big hose pick on steroids. Now & then I even use it for cotter pins..

That snap on cotter pin tool is the most used hook type tool I have. And I have the whole set of hose tools. The bend of the hook just makes it the most useful. And it's tough as nails. It is well worth the 30 bucks off the truck. Even though the craftsman is like 8 bucks the snap on is just that much better.

 

[dirtydogintex]

I'm not liking the look of those. Maybe they'd work for vacuum lines.

Bought mine for vacuum and fuel lines - worked pretty well.
~~~~~~~
Started out cutting heater hoses @ heater cores
w/bare sgl sided razor blades (or utility knife or sharp lock back knife)
after I learned the hard way not to muck around heater cores.

Started doing the same to radiator hoses some time back.
Most 'modern' radiators nozzles (stubs) are as flimsy as the ones on heater cores!!

 

[Agentwho]

When it comes to cutting hose ends I find that using a blade alone leaves me with crooked cuts a lot of times. Then I discovered that the craftman handi cuts I had sitting in my toolbox forever was perfect for the job. Wheater cutting new hose to length or the last 1/2" off an existing hose they leave me with a nice strait cut every time.
http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00937301000P