I did the heater coolant mod to turn off circulation with two ball valves, and it's been like 3 months and now it leaks coolant. Replaced hose clamps and still leaks but a little less, any special clamps I need to use?

 

I would use the spring type clamps. They flex and keep tension as temperature changes. The Local ACE hardware in town carries them. Not sure about your location.

BTW...these pliers are THE best for using spring hose clamps.

Tony

 

The question is, where - exactly - is it leaking? If it's leaking at the hose connection, then there's probably a fitment problem. If the hose barb is slightly too big or too small, it will eventually fail.

Ball valves have a heat rating. Most off the shelf valves are not rated for temps that the coolant usually sees. Again, it will eventually fail and leak.

Check with McMaster.com for the proper ball valves. They're expensive to purchase, but cheaper in the long run.

As for clamps, the best are heat shrink bands from NAPA.

 

Mine just has regular worm screw clamps and it works fine?

I just used a regular heater line valve, though.

 

Well it looks like they leak from the base of the fitting where the hose stops. I replaced the clamps twice now and still leaks. Should I buy another couple valves? I also used Teflon tape on the pipe threads.

 

Before I got the valve I have now I had a few different types of ball valve. They all leaked at the pipe threads. The valve I have now is a PEX brand from Home Depot and the pipe threaded ends were installed when it was manufactured. It has not leaked at all. Somewhere on here there is a thread where I posted a photo of the valve I have now.

 

im not a big fan of teflon tape. but if you really dont want it to leak and it is the fittings leaking then, teflon tape and thread sealant it. that is what we do in highpressure situations in the natural gas world.

 

What exactly does a worm clamp look like? I probly seen them but I don't know them by name. Also went to home depot and ace to get some valves and fittings that are made together but they said I had no idea what I was talking about. I will have to figure something out, every auto parts store has told me to get some regular radiator screw clamps.

 

I'm not sure I used the right terminology. I meant the traditional clamp with a worm drive type screw.

 

Go to home depot. Here is the valve I am using and have used for a couple years now.