Coolant pipe - Should I be concerned?

[Effer]

Hi Guys, it seems that there is some growth happening as seen in the picture below.
I have noticed that it had some droplets of coolant fluid dripping on the pipe below. The leak isn't extreme, and will be monitoring how often it leaks.

I'm suspecting it could be rust, but any suggestions to solve this issue would be appreciated.

 

[The Critic]

We see this a lot on the newer Infiniti VQ35 motors...on the upper hose. If you replace the factory clamp with a Gates Power Grip clamp, this will solve the issue.

 

[andyd]

Drain the system enough to not make a mess when you take that hose off the nipple. Clean the crud off the aluminum, wipe off the inside of the hose. Then, I use Permatex Aviation Forma_Gasket. #2 The stuff in the tube, not the can. Goop the stuff on to the nipple and push the hose back on. Slide the clamp up. Wait 15 minutes and refill the radiator. The stuff will stop the drip. It is non-hardening, so it goes together and comes apart easily.

 

[Effer]

Originally Posted By: The Critic
We see this a lot on the newer Infiniti VQ35 motors...on the upper hose. If you replace the factory clamp with a Gates Power Grip clamp, this will solve the issue.


Any idea if I can use Screw/band hose clamps?

The problem is I don't think I'm able to find a retailer for the Gates Power Grip.

 

[Leo99]

When are you due for a coolant flush? I'd pull the hose and have a look at what's under there when I changed the coolant if that will happen in the next 12 months.

Do you do your own maintenance/repairs? Does it look like you can replace that metal pipe easily or is it welded/part of a larger part?

 

[The Critic]

Originally Posted By: Effer
Originally Posted By: The Critic
We see this a lot on the newer Infiniti VQ35 motors...on the upper hose. If you replace the factory clamp with a Gates Power Grip clamp, this will solve the issue.


Any idea if I can use Screw/band hose clamps?

The problem is I don't think I'm able to find a retailer for the Gates Power Grip.

Some of them can be found on Amazon. If those are not available, just get a new hose and a new OEM clamp - that'll fix the problem too.

 

[Quest]

OP is in singapore.

@ OP: screw type stainless steel hose clamp is fine also.

Fact is: you have to drain it first (engine cold), undo the hose end, get a wirebrush to brush off the crud to see how corroded the surface is. If not too bad, you just need to clean up their mating surface (both the inside of the hose and the aluminium outlet part) and then re-install. Tighten the band/clamp until no more drips come out.

start your engine, drive a bit, and while warm (cooling system under pressure), check to see if there's any more seepage (check with a clean, dry piece of kleenix tissue). Tighten it a bit more if you detect slight moisture seepage.

Q.

 

[BRZED]

Originally Posted By: Effer
Originally Posted By: The Critic
We see this a lot on the newer Infiniti VQ35 motors...on the upper hose. If you replace the factory clamp with a Gates Power Grip clamp, this will solve the issue.


Any idea if I can use Screw/band hose clamps?

The problem is I don't think I'm able to find a retailer for the Gates Power Grip.


The problem with screw clamps is that you have to keep tightening them. A spring clamp maintains tension as the hose material compresses over time.

 

[DoubleWasp]

That usually starts because corrosion forms at the end of the pipe, and once the porosity develops, it works its way baxk until it completely works its way through to the end of the hose. Remove the hose, clean it all up and reassemble. New, better clamp is not a bad idea, but you have to clean up the surface first, or it will come back.

 

[Effer]

Originally Posted By: Leo99
When are you due for a coolant flush? I'd pull the hose and have a look at what's under there when I changed the coolant if that will happen in the next 12 months.

Do you do your own maintenance/repairs? Does it look like you can replace that metal pipe easily or is it welded/part of a larger part?


Actually I just did a coolant flush last month since I noticed that my coolant reservoir was starting to have some brown in them.

The metal pipe is part of a larger part so not possible to remove it.

Doesn't seem like a too difficult task, which I might do it myself. Luckily coolant concentrate isn't too costly. Only concern is the coolant water spilling all over the shared car park. Hehe

Any feedback on Redline Water Wetter or Royal Purple: Purple Ice?

 

[Effer]

Originally Posted By: BRZED
Originally Posted By: Effer
Originally Posted By: The Critic
We see this a lot on the newer Infiniti VQ35 motors...on the upper hose. If you replace the factory clamp with a Gates Power Grip clamp, this will solve the issue.


Any idea if I can use Screw/band hose clamps?

The problem is I don't think I'm able to find a retailer for the Gates Power Grip.


The problem with screw clamps is that you have to keep tightening them. A spring clamp maintains tension as the hose material compresses over time.


to keep tightening them wouldn't be so much of a hassle, my only concern is since the radiator hose might be a little aged and clamping too tight might have an negative effect on it.

 

[joegreen]

Definitely clean that up before the aluminum gets pitted to bad.

 

[Lubener]

Originally Posted By: Effer
Originally Posted By: The Critic
We see this a lot on the newer Infiniti VQ35 motors...on the upper hose. If you replace the factory clamp with a Gates Power Grip clamp, this will solve the issue.


Any idea if I can use Screw/band hose clamps?

The problem is I don't think I'm able to find a retailer for the Gates Power Grip.


Yes, a screw clamp will work. You said it was just flushed. Drain enough coolant out, remove that end of the hose and the old, weak clamp. Clean up the area, reinstall the hose or a new one with a new clamp. You could even put a thin layer of permatex#2 on the fitting before installing the hose.

 

[Lubener]

Originally Posted By: BRZED
Originally Posted By: Effer
Originally Posted By: The Critic
We see this a lot on the newer Infiniti VQ35 motors...on the upper hose. If you replace the factory clamp with a Gates Power Grip clamp, this will solve the issue.


Any idea if I can use Screw/band hose clamps?

The problem is I don't think I'm able to find a retailer for the Gates Power Grip.


The problem with screw clamps is that you have to keep tightening them. A spring clamp maintains tension as the hose material compresses over time.


You might have to tweek it once but the spring clamp will weaken as the one in the picture did.

 

[eljefino]

There are screw clamps where the screw tensions a spring, so they're the best of both worlds. Hard to find, but they're out there. Pay more, get more.

The worst thing about "standard" hose clamps is if adjusted tight in summer, they weep in winter. In Singapore this may be a non-issue.

 

[BRZED]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
There are screw clamps where the screw tensions a spring, so they're the best of both worlds. Hard to find, but they're out there. Pay more, get more.


Spring loaded T-Bolt clamps.

 

[BigD1]

Looks like a simple hose weep to me.

 

[Eddie]

Ignore it until you are going to flush and refill the system. ed

 

[MarkM66]

Originally Posted By: Eddie
Ignore it until you are going to flush and refill the system. ed


Agreed.

 

[4wheeldog]

Originally Posted By: Effer
Originally Posted By: Leo99
When are you due for a coolant flush? I'd pull the hose and have a look at what's under there when I changed the coolant if that will happen in the next 12 months.

Do you do your own maintenance/repairs? Does it look like you can replace that metal pipe easily or is it welded/part of a larger part?


Actually I just did a coolant flush last month since I noticed that my coolant reservoir was starting to have some brown in them.

The metal pipe is part of a larger part so not possible to remove it.

Doesn't seem like a too difficult task, which I might do it myself. Luckily coolant concentrate isn't too costly. Only concern is the coolant water spilling all over the shared car park. Hehe

Any feedback on Redline Water Wetter or Royal Purple: Purple Ice?


Redline water wetter is great, if you are running on a track, with no (Or minimal) antifreeze. But it is thinner than water, and will make any seepage worse, not better.

Take it apart, clean it, and use a new clamp and perhaps some sealant on the hose.