Radiator Top Hose / Hood Latch Attachment

chaser said:

Anyone have instructions to replace Radiator Top Hose?
Dealer says I need to replace Top Hose. They want almost $300 to do it, ext warranty will not cover. I will DIY, but I would like some illustrative directions, it looks like it would be pretty easy, but I did not want to go in totally blind. Do I need to drain coolant? Where do those extra hoses go? etc etc. I have searched this board and the RAVE manual, but cannot seem to find anything.

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Hi, Marc-

There isn't much to R&Ring the hoses, since it's a quick disconnect type of fitting. The RAVE manual mentions it in step 6 of paragraph 26.40.01 among other places. There is only a clip that you pull back, and the fitting will release from where it's mated. Then when you fit the new hose, make sure that the retention clip is pulled back when you mate it, then push it in to secure it. You will want to drain at least some of the coolant to change the top hose, to avoid more coolant mess than needed. And if you just look where the original connections are coming from, mate the new hose to them. There are the 2 large and one small connection.
You may want to consider just going ahead & draining the coolant (RAVE paragraph 26.10.01), replacing the other hoses and replacing the coolant while you're at it, since the lower hose (& the others) are as old & worn as the top hose. You could do all of these for less than the price that you were quoted for the top hose.

Good luck!