Water pump - heater core hose problem -Updated-

[Skinny]

So I get home last night at 2:30am after a very short drive (less than a mile) from work. When I pulled into my driveway I see smoke from the hood. I turned off the engine and got out, noticing the unmistakeable smell of coolant. I popped the hood and when the smoke cleared I saw coolant EVERYWHERE. Dripping from the hood and everything. I knew it was a broken hose somewhere but I waited till in the morning to figure it out. Today I go out and see THIS (closup). Thats the hose that goes to the heater core. I can unscrew the hose on the engine side (white connector) but the other end turns into a metal pipe and it doesn't look like the rubber hose is comming off of that. The metal pipe goes into a bracket that seems to be welded onto the body of the car. It then turns to a rubber hose again and goes onto a metal pipe that goes into the car. HERE there is a clamp, but even if I took that end off, I won't be able to get the angled metal pipe through the bracket that's welded to the car body. What do I do?!?! Moreover, how on earth did this thing break like this??

[ July 11, 2002: Message edited by: 96BeastV6 ]</p>

[v6maro]

looks like from heat, or something like that.
If i were you I would be more concerned about if anything else went wrong, especially when you lose coolant, and the engine runs hot.
That part may be easy to fix, but I am no 3.8L expert, sorry for no help, but here is a *bump*
-Steve

[crazyralph]

That royally sux dude. I had the same hose on my camaro bust. I was quoted $125 at the dealership for a new hose :eek: and it was a dealer item as well. I just rigged mine(didn't matter cause I was going to trade it in the next day). What I did was I cut the hose and got a little plastic piece that fit inside both end clamped it down and it ran without a problem. this isn't a perm solution though sorry i couldnt help anymore than that but maybe you'll have better luck bc this was about two years ago this happened to me.

[DominusEtDeusNatus]

I had that pop off on the highway. Maybe a shop will do it for less. It was a long time ago and I don't remember the details.

[Skinny]

<blockquote>quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by v6maro:
looks like from heat, or something like that.
If i were you I would be more concerned about if anything else went wrong, especially when you lose coolant, and the engine runs hot.
That part may be easy to fix, but I am no 3.8L expert, sorry for no help, but here is a *bump*
-Steve<hr></blockquote>

I'm not worried about any other damage. The car wasn't running long enough for anything else to go wrong. I'm pretty sure it happened right before I pulled into my driveway. As soon as I saw the smoke I checked my water temp and it was only about 170.


Thanks for the replies.. I'll be going to the dealer on Monday to see what I'm gonna need to do. That little plastic piece that broke had a small white sticker on it with a GM part number. I checked the number but the only description for it was "valve assembly." It was cheap too, the list price was only $13 and some change.

[12secondv6]

Dealer replaced mine once
I looked at it and said dealer time!! :D

[bu-bye]

another hose a little bigger to fit over the two and a couple clamps and that should do it. Add a little JB weld or silicone to make sure everything is sealed. $10-$20 at a hardware store is all you should need. good luck

[Fullagar]

definatly get the dealer part. the little black plastic thing that broke is a pressure valve that the dealer doesnt sell seperatly. i just replaced one on my buddy's firebird. heat stress is the most likely culprit but i would also get your cooling system flushed because that valve could have become blocked by the normal gunge that builds up in all cooling systems.

Fullagar
93 Z28 M6 M29 K&N FIPK, Accel 300+ ignition, and Flowmaster Muffler
94 3.4L A4 K&N FIPK and Pacesetter Cat-Back

[mickeys]

just have the dealer explain what needs to be done then make a decision of what to do

[Keith]

The qoute from the dealer is correct. I had the same problem. Both heater hoses are one assembly. I also cut the hose and put in a plastic peice between the hose. I have not changed it and have had no problems since. They tell you not to do this at the dealer but i have a friend who is a mechanic and said it wouldn't hurt a thing.

[Keith]

P.S. i did buy the part from the dealer i just haven't put it on yet.

[Skinny]

I got the replacement part from the local dealer for $14. I cut the original pressed on clamps with a dremel (carefully!), then used regular screw-type hose clamps to hold the new valve in.
Part number for the valve is: 10188036

Here's a pic of the fixed hose.

[Fullagar]

man....living in a small town sucks. the dealer i went to either wouldnt sell me the valve or couldnt get it. this is why new mexico small towns are crappy.....give me phoenix any day!

Fullagar
93 Z28 M6 M29 K&N fipk, Accel 300+ ignition, Flowmaster Muffler
94 3.4L Auto. K&N fipk and Pacesetter cat-back.