How to label hoses for disassembly/reassembly?

[Ed_Flecko]

I'm planning to remove my throttle body for cleaning, which means I'll need to remove some vacuum lines, etc. To be certain that I've reassembled everything correctly, I want to label my hoses, etc. as I disassemble everything.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to label my hoses and their corresponding connection point on the throttle body, intake manifold, etc.?

Since I'll be cleaning the throttle body, I can't use a magic marker because my mark will be cleaned off. A magic marker wouldn't work on the hoses anyway unless I use a color of marker that shows up on a black hose and an aluminum throttle body, manifold, etc.

You get my point. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Thank you,
Ed

 

[exranger06]

Wrap some masking tape around the hoses and write on that.

 

[Ed_Flecko]

Would you do that for the tiny connection point on the throttle body, etc., as well?

Ed

 

[Trav]

Paint marker

 

[Rick in PA]

Take pictures. I had to paint two bicycles with all sorts of brake and shifter cables last summer. The "before" pictures helped greatly for reassembly.

 

[OneEyeJack]

Use tape and the paint markers with plenty of photos. Mark the hoses a week or so before the work to make sure the markings will stay. In the photos show the marker. You mechanic friends will laugh but you'll get everything back correctly and quickly and then you can laugh.

 

[Farmer]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Paint marker



I also would pick paint pens, maybe writing letters corresponding for each hose, A on both hoses, B for the other etc.

 

[Ed_Flecko]

Originally Posted By: Trav
Paint marker
Hey, that looks pretty cool and I probably wouldn't have to worry about it wiping off when cleaning the throttle body?

Ed

 

[Kestas]

Labels... pictures... sketches... do it all. Investing a little time up front can save a lot of heartburn later.

 

[toneydoc]

Well I owned an airplane in the past. When we changed out an engine for overhaul, we had tags that had string attached to them. Got them at hobby store. We wrote on them where the hose was connected and drew a diagram.

With the new cell phone pictures, make plenty of them and somehow paint or label them for correct replacement when done.

My engines worked great with no hangups after replacement. You can do it as well.

 

[ajchien]

I like paint markers. Get a few different colors,then you only need to put dots or stripes or X's and that should be plenty.

 

[beechcraftted]

I have a tub of multi colored zip ties for this. Red to red, green to green, etc.

 

[The_Jeff]

Originally Posted By: ajchien
I like paint markers. Get a few different colors,then you only need to put dots or stripes or X's and that should be plenty.


Dots or hash marks are great. I used to do this with distributor cap wires.

You should hopefully find the hoses "just want to spring back where they belong."

 

[Nick1994]

Use your wife's nail polish and make a polka dot. Different colors for each one

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: beechcraftted
I have a tub of multi colored zip ties for this. Red to red, green to green, etc.


Yes; my brother and I have also used twisty ties, pipe cleaners, the aforementioned masking tape, and duct tape.

 

[cmhj]

Labels and pics, draw your own diagram. It's not a big mystery.

 

[Vikas]

Quote:
You should hopefully find the hoses "just want to spring back where they belong."
Sure enough! I have never seen a guy who earns living by wrenching on the car do the marking. Flat rate certainly has no room to do that. Of course, if I were doing it, I would take lots of pictures and would first write up the actual order of taking the stuff off!

 

[mk378]

There is usually a diagram on a sticker under the hood. Read and understand that diagram. Before disconnecting anything, trace the hoses on the car and match them on the diagram to be sure you understand it.

 

[Trav]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
Quote:
You should hopefully find the hoses "just want to spring back where they belong."
Sure enough! I have never seen a guy who earns living by wrenching on the car do the marking. Flat rate certainly has no room to do that. Of course, if I were doing it, I would take lots of pictures and would first write up the actual order of taking the stuff off!

You never saw dealership mechanics working on early 80's vehicles. Some of those things had more hoses than many people have had hot dinners.

 

[Vikas]

You are right there! I had 1983 Prelude; the maze of vacuum hoses underneath was simply unbelievable!