Radiator hose exploded

[funkymatt]

Was driving home from work last night and noticed my temp guage was climbing pretty rapidly. Turned on the heater and that didn't help. when it got to near redline I pulled over to a 76 gas station and let the car cool for 30ish minutes. Went to take off the radiator cap, squeezing the hose first and noticed it was quite pliable, but didn't think anything of it at the time. Opened up the radiator and started filling with water and it poured out of the bottom of the top hose. pretty sweet. had it towed home and replaced the hose this morning.

What would cause that much pressure to build up in the hose to make it explode like that? it looks like it is (was) mesh reinforced. Should i look at the thermostat? if it were stuck, would that cause THAT much pressure to build?

this watercooling is pretty new to me.

 

[Gillbot]

They can rupture easily if they are aged.

 

[boomerang]

You'd be smart to replace them all now. Don't forget heater and any bypass hoses. When one goes, the rest are sure to follow. Usually at an inopportune time.

They typically rot from the inside where it can't be seen.

 

[steppinthrax]

Originally posted by: funkymatt
Was driving home from work last night and noticed my temp guage was climbing pretty rapidly. Turned on the heater and that didn't help. when it got to near redline I pulled over to a 76 gas station and let the car cool for 30ish minutes. Went to take off the radiator cap, squeezing the hose first and noticed it was quite pliable, but didn't think anything of it at the time. Opened up the radiator and started filling with water and it poured out of the bottom of the top hose. pretty sweet. had it towed home and replaced the hose this morning.

What would cause that much pressure to build up in the hose to make it explode like that? it looks like it is (was) mesh reinforced. Should i look at the thermostat? if it were stuck, would that cause THAT much pressure to build?

this watercooling is pretty Usually the hoses age from the inside out.



As they age the hose starts to break apart from the inside and the cloth mesh starts to show from the inside. It usually happens around bends and curves in the hose. The ends of the hose start to wear away as well. I had this happen to a heater hose on a car. It was a bitch to replace.

 

[funkymatt]

Thanks for the input you guys, I think I'll have time to check out the rest of the hoses this weekend.

 

[dustmann]

You might stick a new thermostat in while you're in there. There are usually only two bolts holding it in, and if it gets stuck closed, it won't let water circulate into the radiator, which results in a similar situation. I think they are ~ 10 bucks.

 

[CrackRabbit]

Originally posted by: dustmann
You might stick a new thermostat in while you're in there. There are usually only two bolts holding it in, and if it gets stuck closed, it won't let water circulate into the radiator, which results in a similar situation. I think they are ~ 10 bucks.

If you replace the thermostat it is a good idea to replace it with one of the newer "fail open" thermostats. They cost a few bucks more but the extra piece of mind is worth it.