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How to replace an upper and lower radiator hose?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by Brs97, Feb 21, 2012.

  1. Feb 21, 2012 at 11:58 PM
    #1
    Brs97

    Brs97 [OP] New Member

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    I have a 1997 Toyota Tacoma. It is my first car. My parents got it inspected by a mechanic to make sure nothing major was wrong. The mechanic found a lot of stuff thats pretty minor. He was way too overpriced, he wanted $2800 to fix everything... Nothing major is wrong. Just things that you would expect to be going out in a 15 year old truck. The first 2 things I was going to replace are the belts, and the radiator hoses. The belts are pretty self explanitory, ive replaced them before. It's just the radiator hoses I'm confused with. Any tips or pictures or if you can find another thread would be greatly appreciated.
     
  2. Feb 22, 2012 at 1:17 AM
    #2
    shampoop

    shampoop Well-Known Member

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    What all did he quote you for? Generally hoses are much simpler than belts, you just loosen or remove the clamps and yank them off.
     
  3. Feb 22, 2012 at 1:51 AM
    #3
    4Wheelin4Banger

    4Wheelin4Banger Supercharged Toyman

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    After you loosen the clamps on the hoses twist them (you may need channel locks) then pull off.
     
  4. Feb 22, 2012 at 7:46 AM
    #4
    Brs97

    Brs97 [OP] New Member

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    He quoted me for belts, hoses, brake lines, brake flush, wheel alignment, A new tie rod, door locks (passenger side won't work, drivers side is difficult to open), and he says the exhaust manifold is missing a bolt and he was going to replace the whole thing? I was just going to get another bolt. How much do radiator hoses cost?
     
  5. Feb 22, 2012 at 9:46 AM
    #5
    TacoMX

    TacoMX TW's Official anti body-lift pundit

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    man, he was ready to ream you. I can do all that work myself in my garage in mere hours sans the wheel alignment of course.

    Radiator hoses are going to be like $40. Its a 10 minute job to replace them and only requires basic hand tools.

    Belts are super easy to do to.
     
  6. Feb 22, 2012 at 10:15 AM
    #6
    twfsa

    twfsa Well-Known Member

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    Hoses are easy, drain the radiator, loosen the hose clamps remove the hose's, if there tight after the clamp is removed, I take a razor blade and carefully cut a slit in the hose front to rear.
     
  7. Feb 22, 2012 at 10:16 AM
    #7
    Robertgeejr1

    Robertgeejr1 Well-Known Member

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    I have done all the hi-pro mods for a life time, since I got this truck at a great price, I will be happy with showroom new.
    was he charging you for all the beer he was going to drink while he farted around all day?
    back in the day when people only had one phone, i got my first car, and got a repair manual and started to learn a few things, and did not have the internet to help.... I think most of the little things you can do yourself, save some money, and you will love your truck more....
    hey it would be worse, i was offered free for my first car a PINTO:p
     
  8. Feb 22, 2012 at 12:53 PM
    #8
    Robertgeejr1

    Robertgeejr1 Well-Known Member

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    I have done all the hi-pro mods for a life time, since I got this truck at a great price, I will be happy with showroom new.
  9. Feb 22, 2012 at 7:26 PM
    #9
    boshak

    boshak Well-Known Member

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    I just did this a few days ago but did a coolant flush while I was at it.

    Coolant flush steps:
    http://www.4x4wire.com/toyota/maintenance/tacoma_4runner_30k/maintenancep3.htm#coolant

    After you drain the radiator the first time, replace the hoses and clamps. My original clamps were squeeze clamps and I bought new screw clamps from the dealer with the hoses. Total was about $50 for both hoses and clamps... don't forget your red long life coolant!

    GL - Hit me up if you have any questions... literally did this a few days ago.
     
  10. Feb 22, 2012 at 7:29 PM
    #10
    boshak

    boshak Well-Known Member

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    Also, I'm assuming you're changing hoses because of a leak. Make sure you clean up the water inlet/outlets of debris and lubricate the new hoses with coolant or WD40 before you slip them on.
     
  11. Feb 22, 2012 at 10:07 PM
    #11
    Brs97

    Brs97 [OP] New Member

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    No major leak, but the hoses are 15 years old what do you expect? Thanks for the help everybody. I should be able to do these repairs soon.
     
  12. Feb 22, 2012 at 10:18 PM
    #12
    Wild Card

    Wild Card Truck yeah!

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    So what if they're 15 years old? Are there any large bulges? If they're not bulging or leaking, why are you wasting money replacing them? I couldn't tell you how many 20 year old cars I drove around, never having any problems with hoses. Belts, yeah, why not? A lot more wear and heat with those.

    This is all stuff you could have checked yourself.

    Remember, the best way to learn to fix on cars is being poor as hell. When bringing it to a mechanic isn't an option, and it's your only car, you learn how to wrench on them really quick.
     
  13. Feb 22, 2012 at 10:45 PM
    #13
    boshak

    boshak Well-Known Member

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    that's my boat. thank God for the internet forums :homer:
     
  14. Feb 22, 2012 at 11:15 PM
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    scocar

    scocar hypotenoper

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  15. Feb 23, 2012 at 5:14 AM
    #15
    Robertgeejr1

    Robertgeejr1 Well-Known Member

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    I have done all the hi-pro mods for a life time, since I got this truck at a great price, I will be happy with showroom new.
    I just remembered this my dad traded this chevy on a 1981 toyota truck sr5 5speed, and keeped it for 12 years and nothing ever went wrong, and really except for gas oil and tires HE NEVER DID ANYTHING ELSE TO IT. he told me later he never got around to flushing or changing the coolant.
    I said your lying....... he said it was true....:eek:
     
  16. Feb 23, 2012 at 10:04 AM
    #16
    TacoMX

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    better to replace hoses now on a 15 year old truck, then to have to replace them on the side of a highway when its 95 degrees outside.
     
  17. Feb 23, 2012 at 12:06 PM
    #17
    Wild Card

    Wild Card Truck yeah!

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    You know, I never did think of a warmer climate. We don't really get 95 up here in the mitten. It couldn't hurt to replace them, but I still feel if they aren't broke....
     
  18. Feb 23, 2012 at 2:15 PM
    #18
    Robertgeejr1

    Robertgeejr1 Well-Known Member

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    I have done all the hi-pro mods for a life time, since I got this truck at a great price, I will be happy with showroom new.
    well let me tell you, if it springs a leak, and you dont catch it and your engine overheats, and the heads warp from the block, and you start leaving a big white moist cloud behind you, well you will wish you had.
     
  19. Feb 23, 2012 at 11:45 PM
    #19
    shampoop

    shampoop Well-Known Member

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    Take this line of thinking with a grain of salt. If you never actually NEED to drive your car anywhere, then that's great. However, things like hoses break down over time extremely predictably and can potentially stop you dead in your tracks if they go bad. Large bulges mean they're just about to burst and leave you stranded, not that it's finally time to change them.

    They are cheap and easy to do if you already have your coolant drained when replacing it like you also need to do periodically. Either you replace it before you have a problem, or wait till you have a problem and hope you can fix it before it gets really serious. Hoses are cheaper than engines.

    I have an 03 and plan on replacing every hose on it by the time it's 15 years old. If you replace hoses preventatively, you don't waste any money on expensive coolant, you don't have to chase down leaks, and you can replace them in a planned fashion so that you're not trying to do it when it's 0 degrees F on the side of the highway with a leatherman. Trust me, it's much easier and much more pleasant doing it in proper setting with the right tools.
     

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