Hose leak question?
 

I'm stumped?? What would cause a heater hose to leak if the truck sits for 3 days but not leak if it is used everyday? My wifes Truck leaks a couple of tablespoons of antifreeze if the truck sits for 3 or more days. It does not leak enough to show any less fluid in the overflow tank over the last 6 months but this leak is annoying I am going to buy some stop leak to see if that stops it. Anybody ever see this happen before? I have had it pressure checked by my friend that has his own shop and he tightened up the hose clamp that appeared to leak just a few drops ( he also suggested some stop leak) These are all new (within the last 3 months) hoses on a truck with 125K miles on it.

Re:Hose leak question?
 

Just an idea here, <br>As the rubber hose cools, it contracts. This exposes any cracks that may be present.<br>It may also make the hose clamps fit a little looser.<br>When it is used, the fluid and the rubber hose expand in the heat. This expansion may temporarily seal a small crack in the hose and/or make the hose clamp fit a little tighter.<br><br>This is just an idea based on an experience I had with an oil cooler line that had the same symptoms as your heater hose.<br>It too only leaked when it sat for a while.<br>Indeed, there was a small (very small) crack in the hose that was only present when the rubber got cool enough to contract and expose the crack.<br><br>Just an idea.<br>Rich.<br>

Re:Hose leak question?
 

You think the stop leak will fis it?

Re:Hose leak question?
 

If you can fix it, don't rely on stop leak. It's for emergency's only. It'll crud up the system, and if you get a fluid flush later, you'll probably leak again.

Re:Hose leak question?
 

I don't advise stop leak, especially for a hose leak. It may well block up the rad, especially the heater core.<br>My truck hoses also weep slightly in cold weather. I think that the hot/cold answer above is probably the explanation.<br><br>

Re:Hose leak question?
 

Cheaper to replace the hoses now then a new engine later after a hose breaks.

Re:Hose leak question?
 

[quote author=Srigs link=board=8;threadid=12998;start=0#122846 date=1049164897]<br>Cheaper to replace the hoses now then a new engine later after a hose breaks.<br>[/quote]<br><br>These are all new hoses. It might be something else leaking since they are new and the reason I replaced all of the hoses is because of the leak I originally had at the fire wall into the cab where that hose hooked up (this is where the drip is coming from still). I figured that if it was bad I should replace all of the hoses so I did. I figure the stop leak can't hurt since they use this Barr's stuff on all of the new GM engines on the assembly line. Wife only drives this thing 8K miles a year but I don't like anything to leak. I will let you know if this fixes it. I just think it is strange that it only leaks after it has not been started for 3 or more days. If you start it within 2 days no leak.<br><br>Thanks guys for the suggestions

Re:Hose leak question?
 

Pit Bull, Gates makes a hose clamp for just this situation. Looks like a wide rubber band. Pick the size you need slip it over the hose and warm it up with a heat gun. Works like shrink tubing. Every time the truck comes up to temp if there is any looseness it shrinks again to tighten itself up. Neat clamps. Only downside it that they are not reusable. You have to cut them off and replace them but hey if it solves the leak what the hey. They were designed for highway tractors and HD diesels originally. Hope this helps. Rick

Re:Hose leak question?
 

Could be a crack in the radiator tank in that area too.

Re:Hose leak question?
 

I suggest avoiding stop-leak unless you are in a real jam on the side of the road someplace, a hundred miles from anywhere. Think about it like this, if that stop leak works on your leak, it is also probably &quot;stop-leaking&quot; the core of your radiator.<br>I'm not saying I haven't used it. I used it in my 64 Ford tractor to pluf little leaks in the radiator, but it didn't last and eventually seemed like it was plugging up the radiator. I bought a new one. and flushed the system.<br>I suggest you see if you can have your buddy pressure test the system when it is stone cold, since that's when the leak seems to occur. I have suspicion that there might be a contraction leak, where it doesn't leak warm because the parts are explanded.<br><br><br>Chris

Re:Hose leak question?
 

[quote author=Stamey link=board=8;threadid=12998;start=0#123272 date=1049249714]<br><br>I suggest you see if you can have your buddy pressure test the system when it is stone cold, since that's when the leak seems to occur. I have suspicion that there might be a contraction leak, where it doesn't leak warm because the parts are explanded.<br><br><br>Chris<br>[/quote]<br><br>Thanks Chris he did the pressure test cold and tightened up the clamp as tight as he could without cutting the hose. The leak is on the hose that is between the engine and the firewall on my 95 Landcruiser. He suggested that I use the barrs stop leak because nothing else is working. If we have to go back in to change that hose again it is booked as a $500 job because you have to take a lot of things off the engine to get clear access to the hose :'(. Normally I would not want to use Barrs stop leak but I guess it is used by most manufactures on the new car assembly line to make sure your new vehicle doesn't have any leaks. Hope this stuff works, I'll findout in a couple of weeks. The Truck has 125K miles on it and I love it. But the wife want a VW New Beatle. I can sell this LC for $15K and get her a new car but I hate to part with it. But with the little problems and this number of miles I would not want my wife driving it out of town, on a trip. Hopefully this will work???

Re:Hose leak question?
 

If you do use the Barrs Leak, make sure that the engine is up to temp, and that you keep it runnig for quite a long time after you have added the goop.<br>george

Re:Hose leak question?
 

[quote author=Smokey link=board=8;threadid=12998;start=0#124096 date=1049458761]<br>If you do use the Barrs Leak, make sure that the engine is up to temp, and that you keep it runnig for quite a long time after you have added the goop.<br>george<br>[/quote]<br><br>I did, and I ran it for 1 hour after I added it. No leaks so far and I am keeping my fingers crossed. Knock on wood.