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Did the radiator hoses, thermostat and flush yesterday

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What a pain in the butt. Those hose clamps from H E double hockey sticks, wore me out. The top ones weren't so bad. The bottom ones especially the one on the block are shear madness. Finally took the one on the block and gave it a good fling, and replaced it with the screw type clamp.To add insult to injury after getting it back together, it took along time to get the check engine light to go off. Glad I did the work after the fact, as the PO had used green antifreeze in it at some point ( I just bought it a month ago). The temp gage works better now as well ( is warm faster).So far I've changed the oil and filter, fuel filter, tranmission fluid and filter and changed the fluid in the rearend. Now all that needs doing is the brake fluid and power steering flush and put a new serpintine belt on her. Sent the oil sample to Blackstone this morning.

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  • Owner

I'm still use the same factory spring type hose clamps... I've never bothered to change them out to the newer style worm gear. Changed hoses twice already and keep re-using the same factory clamps.A ot of people are shocked that I've kept them...

  • Author

I'm still use the same factory spring type hose clamps... I've never bothered to change them out to the newer style worm gear. Changed hoses twice already and keep re-using the same factory clamps. A ot of people are shocked that I've kept them...

Well with as much spring tension that they have, theres no way you'll blow a clamp or hose off. But how in the world do you get them on and off? I even custom bent some tools to do the job and I still couldn't get the one on the block back on.
  • Author

Strangely enough the only tools I use is either standard pliers or channel locks...

You must have removed the alternator, to get the one on the hose going into the block?
  • Author

No. Just reached down grabbed it slide in back tugged quite a bit on the hose to break it free... But no removal of other parts to do it.

I had the inner fender out, turbo air inlet tubing off and still couldn't get to it. :banghead:

What coolant did you end up using?I haven't replaced my hoses yet, not sure when I will.

  • Author

What coolant did you end up using? I haven't replaced my hoses yet, not sure when I will.

I would start thinking about the hoses. My '06 with 83k on the clock needed the hoses changed, where they contacted the engine, everywhere else they were nice and soft. Went with the Zerex G-05. Carquest was the only place I found that had it on hand.

I was just checking them out and they all seem fine with 74K on the clock. I like the G05, seems to work well and lasts a long time.

  • Author

I was just checking them out and they all seem fine with 74K on the clock. I like the G05, seems to work well and lasts a long time.

Mine were hard and brittle where they touched metal.

This is what I ended up going to after many busted knuckles. http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-cable-operated-hose-clamp-pliers/p-00947390000P?currentProductTitle=craftsman%2dcable%2doperated%2dhose%2dclamp%2dpliers&partNumber=00947390000P&storeId=10155&isSEOCanonURL=true&PRODUCT_TITLE_BRAND=craftsman%2dcable%2doperated%2dhose%2dclamp%2dpliers&catalogId=12602&catgroupId=00947390000P&pageInd=product&i_cntr=1329816462804

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    Those are awsome.

    Ya they are way better then when I would try to use pliers, channel locks, or what ever else I could think of to try to get them off and on.

    Strangely enough the only tools I use is either standard pliers or channel locks...

    I never gave mine much thought either. Just took them loose like you. I still have the oe hoses on mine. I have had the upper one off a few times and they still look good. the ends are not brittle and are still intact. No soft spots i can feel. I probably should replace them and will, but not right away. I know, beware what you cannot see.
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