Do you use grease when replacing radiator hoses?

[Kitto]

As title, I am going to do this next week.
As I recall, I see my mechanic do this last time when he replaced the heater hose...

 

[rpn453]

I've never done it, but it doesn't sound like a great idea to possibly contaminate the coolant with grease.

 

[Quest]

Nope. Never mix mineral oil based grease with anything rubber, not rubber radiator hose, not fan belts.

I just wet the surface with a bit of glycol antifreeze and then slip it in. Works like a charm every time.

 

[porcupine73]

Yes, do not use petroleum based grease on rubber. If you have some silicone or synthetic wheel bearing grease or something that would probably be Ok.

 

[onion]

It's not a good idea. Likely nothing would come of it- but you'd be getting grease into the coolant. Also, grease contains oil, which ain't good for rubber... and you sure don't want a hose to slip off.

I've done that sort of thing at the shop occasionally if a hose is really putting up a fight for whatever reason... but that's only because my convenience is far more important than the customer's long-term interests. I wouldn't do it on my own vehicle.

 

[porcupine73]

True. Heating the end of the hose with a heat gun is usually enough to get it on. I've used some straight coolant sometimes as a 'lube' when it's been stubborn.

 

[Kitto]

thanks all for opinion! especially this:

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I've done that sort of thing at the shop occasionally if a hose is really putting up a fight for whatever reason... but that's only because my convenience is far more important than the customer's long-term interests. I wouldn't do it on my own vehicle.

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now I know why my mechanic do this...

 

[Steve S]

Quote:

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Yes, do not use petroleum based grease on rubber. If you have some silicone or synthetic wheel bearing grease or something that would probably be Ok.

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Are radiator hoses rubber?

 

[Steve S]

Quote:

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thanks all for opinion! especially this:

Quote:

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I've done that sort of thing at the shop occasionally if a hose is really putting up a fight for whatever reason... but that's only because my convenience is far more important than the customer's long-term interests. I wouldn't do it on my own vehicle.

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now I know why my mechanic do this...

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Greasing the hose allows easier removal in the future and will not hurt the hose in any way.

 

[George7941]

When hoses are put on dry the hose will frequently bond with the metal of the nipple and will never leak or slide off, and those are two very desirable outcomes. Of course you will have to slice the end of the hose when it comes time to remove it and then put a new hose on but I do not mind doing it in exchange for a guaranteed leak-free connection.

 

[George7941]

Greasing the end of the hose substantially increases the risk of the hose sliding off and I never do it. Remember, there is 15 pounds of pressure that the hose has to contend with.

I heat the end of the hose with a heat gun if it is tough to get on.

 

[ron350]

If you want the hose to not leak and come off easily when removed smear a thin film of RTV on the mounting surface before sliding the hose on.

 

[TwoBills]

I always use Ru-glyde. You know, the stuff they use when mounting tires. Fill the hose 1/2 way and slosh it around. I've got 18 years/280K mi. on a set of hoses on my old Mit.

 

[porcupine73]

Quote:

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Are radiator hoses rubber?

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Most are EPDM rubber. Some higher end/long life are silicone rubber.

 

[obbop]

Elbow grease

 

[johnd]

The guy that taught me used spit. It works and I don't think it hurts the hose.

 

[beanoil]

1 cup of plain 'ol water. Microwave for 3 minutes. Dunk end of hose in hot water for 30 seconds. Slide on fitting.

 

[NYEngineer]

Use Murphy's Oil Soap.

 

[Sparkman]

Like all hoses I just spit on them and wipe it around with my finger. Works great and it's free, haven't run out yet.

 

[sprintman]

No