Wedge TR8 Radiator Hose renewal time...

[swift6]

Wednesday afternoon, following a low 90's temp build up, Fort Collins had a fast moving rainstorm come through. Not totally uncommon for this area but an often interesting side effect are steaming streets right after the rainstorm passes through. The streets are nice and hot and the rain comes down out of the high(er) country and is a nice cold rain. Cold rain on hot pavement and relatively high humidity and there you have it, streets that steam in the middle of the afternoon.

I happened to be out and about during this most recent heat/rain/steam sequence in my TR8 FHC. About 1/2 hour after the streets stopped steaming, my TR8 began steaming. A quick check under the bonnet and the culprit was found. One of the tiny moulded hoses from the water-pump to the intake manifold had sprung a leak. Both the manifold and the heater hoses from the water pump were fairly old so it wasn't too surprising. The Upper radiator hose was an older one that went back into service after a brand new (low quality) hose gave up after about 9 months of service. Luckily, I had new moulded hoses and a new higher quality top hose sitting in my parts stash. For those that have not had the pleasure, accessing the top hose at the radiator on an A/C equipped TR8 is a real <span style="font-style: italic"> </span> pleasure <span style="font-style: italic"> </span> . Anyway, all new hoses in the suspect areas now, and all is better. Here are some photos.

The culprit...

New and old side by side, looks like a little trimming might be needed.

All three old hoses together. That big one is a very specific hose for TR8's WITH A/C only.

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Oh yeah - that upper hose is a bear, indeed! I don't envy you that job at all.

I have two spares; one lightly used and one new one, as well as a new lower hose, just in case...

 

[DNK]

They been on eBay lately

 

[tdskip]

What makes the top hose such a bear - just access?

 

[DNK]

Mine looks pretty easy, but it might be cause it's laying on the floor

 

[Mickey Richaud]

What makes the top hose such a bear - just access?

Yep, basically there is little to none in situ!

The radiator/fan assembly is tilted forward at the top, and the hose is nearly touching the underside of the front apron way up inside the pointy part. It's also right next to the headlight pod. And the fan frame is almost directly in the way. If all your A/C gear is in place, you also have that to deal with.

It's almost easier to drop the whole radiator/fan assembly in order to get access!

 

[swift6]

As Mickey said, the top hose/radiator connection is tucked high into the nose. My A/C Compressor is still in place as well (which is also why the hose is shaped the way that it is) and it is no easy chore to even get the hose seated onto the radiator. You have to work blind, by feel. To tighten the hose clamp, I find it easiest to come from below with a LONG extension using a 5/16 socket. But to do that you have to at least put the front end up in the air in order to crawl under it.

When I first bought the car, I was also surprised to discover that in order to change all the belts, Alt, Power Steering, A/C idler and A/C, that you had to attack it from the top and bottom. It was like calisthenics, up down, up down etc...

 

[GBRandy]

Oh I so don't envy you.....that job is one of the worst.

 

[Mickey Richaud]

Oh I so don't envy you.....that job is one of the worst.

And another one of the worst is replacing the temp sending unit on the side of the radiator!

 

[DNK]

In other words ,when I install the rad ,preinstall the top hose?

 

[philman]

that's how I did it with my wedge.

 

[Mickey Richaud]

It will save you all kinds of grief! Much easier to thread the hose up as you lift the radiator assembly.

Don't forget that sending unit (or a plug, if you're not using it).

 

[DNK]

Not using it, but thanks for reminding me. I have to make sure it is tight after getting it back from the rad shop