Radiator hose sweating. Is this safe to drive? *with pics*

[semidevil]

I have a 2012 Chevy sonic with roughly 63k miles. I went in this morning to get my oil change and the tech said that my radiator hose is soft and spongy and sweating.

After I took my car, I looked at it myself and do see that it is sweating and a bit soft. Also, the area where it is near the clamp appears to be inflated. They couldn't fix it today because parts were not available.

Should I be worried about this? I have a 400 mile trip tomorrow and not sure if the car is safe to drive. Should I be worried?

Pics attached

 

[semidevil]

Another pic

 

[nickalltogether]

Chances are pretty good it would make the trip, but I wouldn't be crazy about it.

 

[RMinNJ]

oh boy.. maybe if you wrap it with another hose held on with zip ties? Some last ditch thing to help it before the trip. most likely will make it but...

Makes me want to check all my hoses now.

 

[Natesriv]

Buy another hose asap

 

[2014 Blue RS]

Burn up my motor 400 miles away from home or buy a $20 hose and prevent the problem. Hmmmm. .


You are probably fine for the trip but not worth the gamble. $20 and 20 minutes and relax on the drive instead of watching for a sign that it gave it. Takes all the fun out of a good drive.

 

[semidevil]

Burn up my motor 400 miles away from home or buy a $20 hose and prevent the problem. Hmmmm. .


You are probably fine for the trip but not worth the gamble. $20 and 20 minutes and relax on the drive instead of watching for a sign that it gave it. Takes all the fun out of a good drive.

Thanks. I've never done any repairs to my car, so I don't know how complicated this is. Firestone is charging 300 dollars for parts (special order they said), labor, and flush. Am I being ripped off, or is it really as simple as buying a $20 part?

 

[Fry]

Thanks. I've never done any repairs to my car, so I don't know how complicated this is. Firestone is charging 300 dollars for parts (special order they said), labor, and flush. Am I being ripped off, or is it really as simple as buying a $20 part?

I have not changed that hose on the Sonic, nor am I by any means an expert. All that said...

I did change the radiator hose on my '92 Corolla. Two hose clamps, some fluid, and that was it. Super easy. And yep, about $20.

I'd suggest Googling a how-to video. Things like this are pretty universal, so even if it's not a straight car match, it probably would work.

Oh, and I think that's a rip off, yes. That's why learning how to do things like this is so beneficial for us folks driving econo-boxes.

 

[wekam]

Whoa! $300, is an insane price for a water hose. I don't know what the retail is on the hose, but this is easily a diy labor job, and as many have mentioned, probably a 20-30 min. job. A couple of clamps and a screwdriver, top off your coolant, and your'e good to go.

 

[carsNskis]

The most expensive hose is no more than $20. http://www.gmpartsdirect.com/auto-p...oling-system-cat/radiator-and-components-scat

Perhaps that's the installed price? Parts, labor and fluid might be reasonable at $300 if you can't do it yourself, but it's pretty simple (although getting all the air out of the system is a bitch, even the factory doesn't get it right)

 

[The Champ]

Thanks. I've never done any repairs to my car, so I don't know how complicated this is. Firestone is charging 300 dollars for parts (special order they said), labor, and flush. Am I being ripped off, or is it really as simple as buying a $20 part?

That appears to be the total job price.

But do you need a flush? Flushing the system won't hurt anything, but typically a coolant flush is something done at 100,000 miles today.

That said, even with a flush, I can't see this being more than a 2 hour job. Labor rates vary, but even at $100.00 per hour I don't think the total bill with parts should be over $250.00.

I think I'd go to a different shop and get a second opinion/estimate if you aren't comfortable doing it yourself.

 

[mvautodunn]

While i realize this thread is a bit old I too had issues with my upper radiator hose recently. I keep getting leakage from from what appeared to be no where. What I found when I took the top hose off was I was getting leakage from the rope that is inside the hose that is designed to help it hold its integrity.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BNvlSi1B8Of/?taken-by=mydunnlife

I had to order the hose from the dealership because auto parts don't carry it yet. With new hose, clamps, and fluid was under $40 easy fix with some hand tools.

2012 Chevy Sonic LTZ
1.4L turbo 6-speed Manual
57k miles when replaced.

 

[Mrblanche]

Again, sorry to resurrect an old thread, but there have been some problems with the DexCool coolant and hose deterioration. The higher temps of modern engines make it worse, too. But the hose is now $14 at O'Reilly. Be sure to get some DexCool coolant to top it up with.