Unbelievable hose clamp drama

[Bailey28]

I changed the coolant on our 2020 Kia Sorento with 60k miles on it. During the change I removed the two hose clamps and pulled the hoses off that attach to the thermostat housing to aid in bleeding the system. I reconnected the hoses and placed the clamps back onto the bungs.

After an hour drive coolant was spewing out from both hose clamp connection points. After much fiddling around it was discovered that the spring clamps need to be placed EXACTLY back at their original locations to the millimeter or they will not seal. It seems the clamps and hoses take 'set' to having been there over 5 years and will not tolerate being placed just anywhere.

This is very strange seeing as this is the first time in almost 40 years of working on vehicles I have ever seen this. I have never had a problem with a spring clamp, worm clamp, or otherwise sealing known good hoses wherever I placed the clamp. Last year I changed the coolant on our older Veloster and Tucson that use the same type of clamps and I know I didn't place the clamps back exactly in the same spot. No leaks or seeps on either of those vehicles.

Just a heads up PSA....

 

[Johnny248]

This happens all of the time.

 

[thastinger]

I've found it best to put the spring clamps back into the impression they make in the hose...or you can move them to a virgin section of the hose if there is room.

 

[CarlB]

You can also pressure or vacuum test before filling, that way you aren't just assuming it's a good seal.

 

[cptbarkey]

Its believable and probably the downside to spring clamps, however I still prefer them.

 

[KrisZ]

Perhaps there was residue/dirt on the housings and that’s why the hose needed to be perfectly put in its old place? It’s always a good idea to inspect and clean them out.

I sometimes put a little bit of silicone grease to help with that initial seal.

 

[D60]

Yep, best practice to make sure they fall in the same impression.

Also when possible squeeze them and rock fore/aft a little. You can pretty well feel when they're square to the connection. If not, they can also leak.

 

[Exhaustgases]

I sometimes put a little bit of silicone grease to help with that initial seal.

Wow ? really? put some slippery stuff on the hose fitting and then wonder why it blows off when pressurized.

 

[Bailey28]

Thanks for the replies. I have not had any problems since placing the clamps back exactly on the original impressions on the hose.

 

[02zx9r rev2]

Wow ? really? put some slippery stuff on the hose fitting and then wonder why it blows off when pressurized.

I don’t recall seeing anywhere that he had a hose blow off when pressurized with a little silicone

 

[KrisZ]

I don’t recall seeing anywhere that he had a hose blow off when pressurized with a little silicone

Yeah, no blown off hoses here, but no point arguing.

 

[Donald]

Replace with constant tension hose clamp?

 

[Rand]

I prefer spring clamp. and replace hoses and clamps if necessary.

 

[CKN]

Doesn't the clamp cause a small impression (compresses) in the rubber hose where coolant could leak out if not placed in the same spot? This right here is the difference between an experienced person and one who is not.

 

[researcher]

Replace with constant tension hose clamp?

View attachment 255026

I actually use one of those on a hard to fit area on one of my coolant hoses. Only issue I had was after the initial tightening (with a new hose) I had to further tighten it. After that no issues.

But as you were saying, could always use one of these but in my mind if I'm replacing clamps, I'm also replacing the hose at the same time.. Just what I like to do.

 

[Donald]

I have replaced a few of the normal SS worm gear hose clamps with constant tension hose clamps on my boat engine. A few need to come off every fall to winterize. I will replace more as I need to pull hoses.

 

[ElectroMechanoMan]

I’ve had a few of the spring clamps rust and break up here in northern Wisconsin. If I have an issue with clamps, I always replace them with quality stainless worm gear clamps. I’m a bit surprised that some of you have had issues with them. You do have to watch the quality of them. They are one of the few things you can find still made in the USA.