Lower Radiator Hose Leaking Again!

[Igoo65]

For the last few years I have had this on/off leaking lower radiator hose. It is leaking where it attaches to the water pump. I replace the hose and spring clamp and it will be fine for awhile, I take it out on a trail and it starts leaking. I'm getting tired of replacing this hose. I have even replaced the water pump to no avail. Has anyone had this problem and what was your solution to stop the leaking. Adding stop leak in not an option.
Thanks for your help!

Igoo65

 

[macleanflood]

Thread 'Part numbers and resources for constant tension hose clamps'

Nov 3, 2019

I've compiled a list of part numbers for the constant tension hose clamps for our TJ / LJ cooling system over the last couple of years. Due to various reasons, my Jeep now has worm gear clamps on it and at this time of year when the temps get cooler, I start getting leaks at the ends of some hoses, requiring a little tightening of the clamps. I'm going to be overhauling my cooling system sometime soon, so I thought I'd post up these part numbers and some links. Thanks to @Jerry Bransford for providing a link to Clips and Fasteners on a similar thread on another website...

• MountaineerTom
• Replies: 115
• Forum: TJ Resources

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[Igoo65]

Thank you

 

[Daryl]

Borrow, rent or buy a cooling system pressure tester to find the leak.

 

[Igoo65]

Borrow, rent or buy a cooling system pressure tester to find the leak.

I know where it’s leaking from. It is always the lower water pump connection. For some reason it always starts leaking there. The connection at the water pump is a very short tube. I wish they made a water pump with a longer tube coming out of it.
Igoo65

 

[JKP]

Be sure the hose is cut to the right length and not putting the hose at an angle to the connection.

If all else fails, Hylomar Blue or Permatex Permashield non hardening sealants will do the trick, but shouldn't be necessary.

 

[mrblaine]

I know where it’s leaking from. It is always the lower water pump connection. For some reason it always starts leaking there. The connection at the water pump is a very short tube. I wish they made a water pump with a longer tube coming out of it.
Igoo65

You are missing something obvious other than the fact that the same length water pump neck has and does work perfectly on 100's of 1000's of rigs.

Typically corrosion or moving the constant tension clamp to a new location on the hose will cause a leak. If you put the clamp back correctly when you replaced the pump, then something else is going on. As mentioned, is the hose the correct length and do we know the motor mounts are not letting the motor move more than is prudent?

 

[Gilaguy23]

IMO its not uncommon to buy a specific application hose that's to kinda long on one end in reality. No biggie cutting 2-3" off if needed to prevent rubbing. Next is the water pump neck and its probably unsmooth corroded neck. Make sure its crud clean for one, use emery, crocus cloth, whatever. Make sure the clamp isnt cocked. I personally don't care for the OEM spring clamps, just a personal preference. There's places its way easier to use a couple feet of 1/4 drive extension and that socket that fits the head than getting to the ears on a springy. I'll add Yeah, some of them worm drives are pure china garbage, so dont buy junk clamps.

 

[Wheeling diver]

I had the same problem after installing a new engine with new hoses, water pump and spring clamps. The only way I was able to get it to stop was to put a second clamp on it. I know it's not the correct way to fix it, but it worked.

 

[Igoo65]

I had the same problem after installing a new engine with new hoses, water pump and spring clamps. The only way I was able to get it to stop was to put a second clamp on it. I know it's not the correct way to fix it, but it worked.

I will try anything. This is so annoying!

 

[Igoo65]

You are missing something obvious other than the fact that the same length water pump neck has and does work perfectly on 100's of 1000's of rigs.

Typically corrosion or moving the constant tension clamp to a new location on the hose will cause a leak. If you put the clamp back correctly when you replaced the pump, then something else is going on. As mentioned, is the hose the correct length and do we know the motor mounts are not letting the motor move more than is prudent?

The motor mounts are brand new and the hose is the correct length. It seams I go through this once a year. I drain the antifreeze pull the hose off, look for corrosion, which there isn't any. The water pump is maybe a year old. I reassemble everything and it doesn't leak and then I take it out on a trail and it starts leaking. This last trail wasn't even very hard.