Sophia Posted February 26, 2012 Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 This afternoon we found a small blowout in the top radiator hose. Could this be caused by something as simple as an old hose that finally gave way or something more serious? It seemed to have happened when we got home after a short drive as the coolant had leaked onto the floor. Coolant in radiator was full and the right colour. Car has not been overheating at all. There is white powdery stuff around the hose end at the radiator end as if it's been leaking in some way earlier. There was no white powdery stuff anywhere else, including inside the radiator cap. The choices we know of are to patch the hole, drive to buy a new hose for $65 and see what happens next, or pay a mechanic to look at it and possibly charge double or more for the same thing. Any thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueether Posted February 26, 2012 Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 I would just replace the hose, they do just go when they get older. Patching is likely not to work as the heat and pressure in a hot radiator are quite high Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SHRPLS Posted February 26, 2012 Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 I would just replace the hose, they do just go when they get older. Patching is likely not to work as the heat and pressure in a hot radiator are quite high +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted February 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 I meant - patch the hole in order to drive to buy a new hose..... not patch it forever what do you think of second hand hoses from reputable car parts places? A new hose is $70 - about the same as getting it looked at by a mechanic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alanmin4304 Posted February 26, 2012 Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 Replace the hose with a new one---the mechanic will charge for their time and the hose. Make sure it is the hose that is leaking and not a fault in the clip holding on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markvs Posted February 26, 2012 Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 It may be possible that you can get cheaper part from places like supercheap, although they may not be identical, if the shape and size are correct, then trim off excess and fit. However I do realise that may not work. my old car had to have an original hose at $60 odd dollars, as opposed to the close but not perfect $15 super cheap. Hopefully you will be able to get it done ok. :sage: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted February 26, 2012 Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 just replace hose Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted February 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 The part we were quoted is $62 + freight at supercheap as they have to order it, same one is $78 at repco but the 3 stores they have it are at least 20 mins drive away and I'd be a bit scared driving around with a taped up hose. I don't know if the one above is a universal one but I suspect so as we don't usually see original mazda parts for a 96 Lantis on offer. Supercheap do have a $20-30 concertina type hose that comes in a range of diameters which is very tempting if they have one that fits. I haven't seen the one that we were originally quoted but if it's the mackay one from the website it would have to be cut as the end corner on ours is not quite the same. Glad to know others have done that already though Tomorrow I go to the library to check the car manual and get the instructions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheepsnana Posted February 26, 2012 Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 Tomorrow I go to the library to check the car manual and get the instructions You should be able to find them online easy enough? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted February 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 You'd think so but I haven't found anything useful online for this car ever. It's a weirdo car pieced together from tin cans and old socks and leftover skodas, the instructions and diagrams rarely match what is under the bonnet. It's hard to find parts too sometimes as it's base engine has bits from 323 and 626 of different years. I usually go to the library and copy the bit we need. Alternately it's $75 through a NZ book seller or I can get it from Amazon for about $26, Book depository for $33. Verrrryy tempting for the next time, though I hope there won't be one..... but there usually is :-? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smurff Posted February 26, 2012 Report Share Posted February 26, 2012 you should also give BNT a call, they sometimes can beat the prices of repco and super cheap, it never hurts to ask them whats the best price they can do you -smurff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted February 27, 2012 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2012 will do that tomorrow, thanks Senor Smurff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snowman Posted February 28, 2012 Report Share Posted February 28, 2012 See if Partmaster has it or can get it, if they can i can get a very good discount from their Manukau branch. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smurff Posted March 12, 2012 Report Share Posted March 12, 2012 Sophia, you manage to get the car fixed ? -smurff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted March 12, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 12, 2012 Yes we did thanks - in the end we got a second hand hose from Cascade Car Wreckers who couriered it to us and though it came from a same age car it was newer than the one we took off. All seems to be good now :thup: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cricketman Posted March 12, 2012 Report Share Posted March 12, 2012 I'd be watching the old "new" hose just while she settles in. They tend to get a little brittle with age, and now it has pressure back on it after a hiatus. Just my 2c Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smidey Posted March 12, 2012 Report Share Posted March 12, 2012 I'd be watching the old "new" hose just while she settles in. They tend to get a little brittle with age, me to, that's why the original one failed in the first place Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zuri08 Posted March 12, 2012 Report Share Posted March 12, 2012 +2 second hand ones tend to crack much easier but if in good nick and not all crusty and hqrd should be good for some more years Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sophia Posted March 13, 2012 Author Report Share Posted March 13, 2012 It was in good nick, like new almost and the wreckers always guarantee for at least 6 months which suited us fine at the time. if this ones goes at least we know what to do now :digH: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smurff Posted March 13, 2012 Report Share Posted March 13, 2012 awesome, good to hear it went well -smurff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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