What is this hose called?

[Torqstr]

I've got a coolant leak from the hose that comes from the firewall and runs to somewhere up under the intake manifold, on the side of the engine nearest the timing belt & accessories. What is this hose called?? I've been to every auto parts place in town and it's definately not a heater hose, even though I would think it's going to the heater core, so that would make it a heater hose.

Also...does anybody know any tricks for removing those damned hose clamps they used on this car??? I spent 2 hours yesterday under the car in the freezing cold trying to get that clamp off, and still don't have it off. It's in such a tight place that getting tools on it is nearly impossible, especially when everything is all oily and you can't see what you're doing. I don't care if I have to destroy the clamp, I just want it off, but I even broke a pair of wire cutter trying to cut it off, and I just think spending another 2 hours trying to get off something as simple as a hose clamp is just outrageous.

[CustomLowz]

This tool Hose Clamp Pliers will be the best to use...






# The Easy Access Hose Clamp Plier permits the mounting and dismounting of all hose clamps with diameters from 3/4" to 2-1/16".
# This plier is the quickest tool available, where hose clamps are directly accessible to the operator.
# The jaws of the new Easy Access Hose Clamp Pliers have a hooking capability of 360 degrees and a single gripper jaw helps prevent the hose clamp from releasing from the tool and causing injury to the end-user.

[Torqstr]

where on earth do you find something like that?

[CustomLowz]

where on earth do you find something like that?

I would check with any NAPA's, Audvanced auto's, Pepboys, Harbor Freight, any automotive related stores. You can also get it from a Matco, Mac Tools, type person, but they arenet cheap through them.

[Torqstr]

well I just called everybody, they don't have them. So I guess it's back to figuring out some way to simply remove the clip (destroying it in the process or not, I could care less). Unfortunately those things seem to be made of adamantium or some other form of indestructible metal.

[Otto]

I don't recall seeing any other hoses in the firewall except the heater hoses, but in either case you can just replace it with the same diameter coolant/heater hose the autoparts store has.

[Torqstr]

heh, yep. Assuming I ever get it off.

[MadSpleen85]

Did you check with any of the above mentioned auto parts store's to see if they could loan you one of those tools? I know around here you can get a tool loaned to you for little or no cost as long as you return it you get your deposit back. I know I have done that a few times for tools that there would be no point in my buyin because hopefully it is only a one time repair. Later

[MadSpleen85]

Did you check with any of the above mentioned auto parts stores to see if they have loaner tools. I know around here you can get just about anything loaned to you for a deposit. I know I have used that kind of thing in the past for tools that I dont use too often. Later

[Torqstr]

Nobody in town has one of those tools.

So after another two hours in the freezing cold under my car all I've managed to accomplish is to cut up my hands some more. Whatever kind of metal those clips are made out of is completely indestructable. I even tried a dremel with a cut-off wheel, but in the place it's at it's hard to get to.

So I guess I'm going to have to remove my entire intake manifold and everything else just so I can get at it from the top. Kinda like tearing down 5 stories of a high-rise to change out a light fixture. This is soooo infuriating spending 4 hours so far trying to remove a $0.10 piece of metal.

[StoobyMcDooby]

use needle nose pliers. Worked for me, i just had to replace my heater hose..

[Torqstr]

you're right in saying that needle nose pliers will allow you to grip the clamp, but whatever metal it's made out of is so incredibly strong that you still can't pull it off. And as for taking it off the right way, pinching the prongs and sliding it up, that won't work because I can BARELY get one hand in there in the first place, and even then I can't see what I'm doing when I do.

Honestly I'm out of ideas...I can't exert the tremendous force necessary to remove/break this clip while squezing my hand into an area that my hand barely fits into (let alone the tool itself).

[gloryaccordy]

Heat it up w/a blow dryer?

It's the hose for the heater core BTW.

[cp[mike]]

the metal clamps stick to the hose, and the hose sticks to the nipple. use needle nose pliars to open the clamp, and before trying to pull it back, twist it around until its loose. THEN pull it back.

the hoses seal/stick to the nipple, do NOT SQUEEZE THEM. the brass nipples from the heater core crush extremely easily. the easiest way to get the hose off is cut the hose, and slice down the side of it and peel the rest of it off of the nipple.

then just replace the whole hose, use an adjustable band clamp... if you face it the right way (tightening screw facing down) you can get to it from directly underneath with a long screwdriver. much easier to get off again in the future...

[Torqstr]

I'm going to go at it again later with a dremel tool and see if I can't cut it off. You can bet that once it's finally off I'll be replacing it with a different type clamp.