While shooting another video the upper radiator hose sprung a leak in the Fairmont. Not wanting to buy a new hose, I did a quick repair. Even thought this happened at the shop (lucky me), I feel you could do this on the side of the road or in a parking lot if you had to. In fact, about a week later this happened in a parking lot and I did the same fix with the Leatherman I keep in my glovebox. You are correct that replacing the hose would be a more permanent fix, but as I pointed out in the video, I’m going to be replacing the engine anyway and at that time I’ll install new hoses. You can also do this repair with heater hoses or other cooling hoses if you have enough hose to work with. One thing to note, you might want to inspect your radiator hoses periodically for softness or dry rot. It can prevent an incident like this from happening in the first place. Lastly, if you have oil leaking onto a hose like I did, it’s a good idea to fix the oil leak to prevent further damage to the hose.
Camera: Brian Kast
The best place for answers to your automotive questions: http://www.ericthecarguy.com
Related Videos.
How To Bleed a Cooling System: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUpXgAJ1gjU
How To Diagnose an Overheat Condition: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUzOTnsWImI
Related articles.
Solving Overheat Conditions: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/what-to-do-when-your-engine-overheats
Finding and Fixing the Causes of Leaks: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq/finding-and-fixing-leaks
Discussion about this video: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/kunena/18-The-EricTheCarGuy-Video-Forum/51878-emergency-radiator-hose-repair#101634
The best place for answers to your automotive questions: http://www.ericthecarguy.com
ETCG FAQ Page: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/faq
EricTheCarGuy code lookup: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/obd-code-lookup
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EricTheCarGuy?fref=ts
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EricTheCarGuy
Google+: https://plus.google.com/100195180196698058780/posts
Information on Premium Membership: Information on Premium Membership: http://www.ericthecarguy.com/premium-content-streaming-etcg-content
Stay Dirty
ETCG
Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information.  EricTheCarGuy assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this video. EricTheCarGuy recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this video.  Due to factors beyond the control of EricTheCarGuy, no information contained in this video shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this video is the sole responsibility of the user and not EricTheCarGuy.
Million thanks to you Eric… a minute ago I did the same but my issue is the one that connects to the engine (Honda Civic DX coupe 1997 with 277K miles). I almost buy a hose but as you said that is temporary fix. Thanks again!
What if you cut the hose just a little to short…i know ..im dumb
If it was in the middle you would use a copper or a PVC pipe cut the hose in half put the pipe in between and put clamps on each side😃
Some high temp mastic tape is also a life saver if you end up with a rupture say in the middle of the hose. Apply it with plenty of tension and it holds up seemingly forever. That said, replacing it with a proper new hose is most ideal but if you can't get one in a timely manner this is amazing stuff for the job!
Will the upper hose always connects to the thermostat into the engine?
I have a metal coolant pipe leaking
"More of a pain in the butt than anything. We're going to let this cool down and come back with a fix for this." Any Ford owner ever.
Hard to believe this video is over 5 years old.
Flex tape saved my life when I was on the road and had my hose blow… I used flex seal on the hole let it set and then flex taped around it and it was able to hold long enough to get me home. Flex seal is very helpful
Why repair it at all if you're not going to do it right?
An 80s Ford Fairmont…😂 😂 . Hey, more power to you
On the side of the freeway hoose got loose put it back but it might have a leak somewhere car wont start its about to be midnight
How long do shortened hoses tend to last?
Thanks for the help, just fixed mine.
Back to back videos of FORDS blowing radiator hoses hmmmm
Radiator hose = 1
Eric = Won
Would your solution work with the bottom hose too? Or do i have to get a new hose???
Your videos more than pratic from scooty kilmer's videos.. ability ,reasoning and home made.. I congratulate..
Hey thanks Eric ! You just reminded me I need to do the same with the garden hose at the back of my house 😉
+ericthecarguy got it i will watch my hoes!!!!
Quick repair? That's how my mechanic fixed my Audi when it lost all coolant on the motorway.
What's the hose called that goes from the cylinder head to the thermostat on a 2006 ninja 250 I can't find out what it's called so I can order it
Eric, I've recently been doing my Cayenne coolant pipe repair, the three cabin heater hoses all have the springy clips on. On reassembly I find the hoses feel too loose, would rtv seal the issue. I'm trying not to have to replace them or take it to the dealer.
Staying dirty 😋
i did this and it save my life. thanks =)
so distilled water still makes corrosion?
hunting Idle in Mazda MX6 after seen your tutorial videos on checking for leaks and bleeding coolant my problem fixes itself way after the car is under normal operating temperature meaning the needle is in the middle and even after that it continues to hunt it is not until a 35 minute drive that the idle goes down to about 700 thank you Eric
head gasket
hey my upper hose busted last night what can cause it to do that
that's funny! my went out on my old bmw e30 318i going to my shop today lol
This works great. I just replaced the factory clip with a 2" hose clamp on my subaru. I cut about 1" of the junk end off the upper hose while I was there. No more leak. thanks for posting this video.
Eric, what do you think of the silicone repair tape for a quick fix? Supposed to withstand 500 degree temps, and high tensile strength. Leaking radiator fluid from the seam right by the cap. This is a 2k Durango and it looks like its own individual unit. I've had the bitch a long time, since she was 2, BUT, I really can't justify dropping a whole lotta casabas. I like this ride,.. but I think, "Doctor say you gonna die" type of shit.
I have a leaking plastic hose T that comes as part of an upper hose assy for my car. It's leaking at the seam where it was manufactured, like a hairline crack. Is it possible to repair this with JB weld and like maybe some wire mesh or something? Don't want to drop $120 on a whole new assembly if I can help it
Great idea, thanks!
Would this work for any of the hoses? My heater hose to the cylinder head has a leak from oil damage.
i like the simplicity of this video because cars usually break down on the road at a bad time – so I like the practicability of this video
you should draw a face on and name that yellow radiator bleeder funnel.. Its in so many videos
I have a tear in mine I'm wondering if i could wrap electrical tape or  duct tape around so I could make it to the auto store???
macgyver can fix this with a couple of eggs…..
That was handy it was toward the end. What to do if it was in the middle??
Hey, great vid.  Have a leak in one of my hoses (probably caused by the oil leak that happened there a couple months ago).  Going to try this fix.  Thanks.
my upper hose just start to leak in the middle of the hose so there no way to cut it she will be too short does any buddy have a trick for me like silicone or maybe burn the hole ? i might just buy a new oneÂÂÂ
good as new
That's is Eric you helped a lot. I drove to work yesterday and got there with my truck leaking coolant everywhere. Luckily got it home. At first I thought it was the water pump but the fun cut into one if the hoses. Did exactly what you did and worked like a charm.