Upper Radiator Hose Flat? *Pic*

[CommandPresence]

Went out this morning to add washer fluid and noticed my upper Radiator hose was completely flat. Never seen this before ! Fired it up and let it get to operating temp and it made no difference . Car runs fine and is at normal temp. 3.7L V6.

 

[peterk9]

Have you checked your coolant level and/or the cap on the overflow reservoir? Just a couple things I read on this issue.

Peter

 

[Odrapnew]

I could see that happening, but with a component issue.


When hot, the coolant expands(along with any air in the system), which pushes the coolant into the overflow tank(that’s why you have Hot and Cold lines on the overflow tank). When it cools back down, the system should pull the coolant from the overflow back into the radiator. If it cannot pull that coolant back, the hoses could collapse like that(ever see the video where they collapse a pop can filled with steam and put into cold water?). Your radiator cap might be bad and only allowing fluid to flow from the radiator to the overflow tank and not vice versa.


When the cooling system gets warm, I would have expected it to expand again and back to normal though.

When it cools down, try opening radiator cap and see what happens.

 

[champco]

Looking at the photo is interesting to say the least Beside the collapsed hose to the left is what looks like foil? On the bottom it looks like a rock. Parts of it look photoshopped. Near the top is a empty space or something else.
As for the hose there is definitely a vacuum collapsing the hose which as said may be caused by a cap malfunction.

When cold I would add to full line on over full tank. If fluid is disappearing stop driving. Verify oil is clean, not with water in it.

 

[MikB]

I will add the word 'restriction' to the above thoughts. Probably a bad radiator cap. However, don't add any coolant before you switch to a new cap. If it's not leaking coolant, your level should be Ok. When you replace the cap, then check to see if it needs coolant added.

 

[peterk9]

Looking at the photo is interesting to say the least Beside the collapsed hose to the left is what looks like foil? On the bottom it looks like a rock. Parts of it look photoshopped. Near the top is a empty space or something else.
As for the hose there is definitely a vacuum collapsing the hose which as said may be caused by a cap malfunction.

When cold I would add to full line on over full tank. If fluid is disappearing stop driving. Verify oil is clean, not with water in it.

I believe what you're seeing is the concrete floor/driveway below. Had to look at it a second time myself.

Peter

 

[CommandPresence]

Well, went out again and let it run for 15 minutes. Double checked the cap and it was tight. The hose blew up to normal size after getting to operating temp. I will be heading to the dealer tomorrow for a new cap regardless, and watch it from there.

 

[Nasty]

Looking at the photo is interesting to say the least Beside the collapsed hose to the left is what looks like foil? On the bottom it looks like a rock. Parts of it look photoshopped. Near the top is a empty space or something else.
As for the hose there is definitely a vacuum collapsing the hose which as said may be caused by a cap malfunction.

When cold I would add to full line on over full tank. If fluid is disappearing stop driving. Verify oil is clean, not with water in it.

Photoshopped??? How? The asphalt showing under the Explorer? The foil insulation tape on a line?

Definitely not Photoshopped...

 

[Odrapnew]

Well, went out again and let it run for 15 minutes. Double checked the cap and it was tight. The hose blew up to normal size after getting to operating temp. I will be heading to the dealer tomorrow for a new cap regardless, and watch it from there.

When it cools down, see if the hose collapses again. If so, try removing radiator cap and see if the hose goes back to normal. That should tell you if the cap is bad.

 

[CommandPresence]

Came out this morning, popped the cap open, voila! Hose blew back up.

 

[Turdle]

It could also be a clog in the coolant return from the reservoir-have this checked also.

 

[Odrapnew]

Came out this morning, popped the cap open, voila! Hose blew back up.

It could also be a clog in the coolant return from the reservoir-have this checked also.

Good point Turdle.

Command - Up to you to bring into the dealer or not. Suppose it depends on warranty situation and your time. If it were me, I'd check the coolant return hose as Turdle mentioned and if it was clear, I'd probably just run to the local auto parts store and get a new cap. Likely wouldn't be worth my time to have the dealer deal with it, but that's just me.

 

[reserved50]

I would buy a dealer cap over a parts store item.

 

[bigdude2468]

Go to your local Auto Zone, Advanced Auto or O'Reilly's and buy a Stant Thermostat. They make many of the thermostat's for the OEM's. Made in the U.S.A. not Chinese crap.

 

[dora51032]

First start in the morning the upper radiator hose is squeezed very tight, but it will goes normal after few minute, probably when the coolant already circulate. I’m thinking to bleed the cooling system, how? or advise what should i do to correct this.

Thanks

 

[1995E]

There's a little white plastic hex nut on the driver side under the car you can turn to allow the flow of coolant. It has a little spouse coming out of it. You should easily find it.

 

[dora51032]

confirmed, same as @CommandPresence after popping up the cap open the hose blew back on its normal shape.
command, have you replace your cap and resolve the issue?

 

[trump]

My upper hose sometimes collapses when cooled down. runs ok, temp gauge ok, no overheating. Could I have a bad thermostat, even though the temp is ok?

 

[peterk9]

My upper hose sometimes collapses when cooled down. runs ok, temp gauge ok, no overheating. Could I have a bad thermostat, even though the temp is ok?

Your post was moved to this thread on the same issue. Found it using the Forum's handy Search feature (upper right).
Also, please update your profile with the Requested/Required "Trim Level" (Base, XLT, etc.). Thanks.

Peter

 

[limited3.5]

Usually don't look under the hood that often, but decided to check my coolant level as I had to refill (6oz of distilled water to keep it in medium level between low and high) a month ago and now I monitor it.
Car (3.5 NA) was not driven for 12+ hours and was cold.

I found found the upper/large radiator hose (from engine to radiator) all squeezed like somebody had sucked all the air out....which of course freaked me out at first.

Then noticed also the coolant level in the expansion tank is more than the "High" mark, it was almost to the cap itself of the tank. Unscrewed the radiator cap...pressure released immediately...level dropped a bit ...
....wait...there was not supposed to be pressure at all since the car has not been running....which got me thinking the cap went bust somehow. Got new one Motorcraft RS527 for 10.50$.

Will check tomorrow morning on how is everything, but I was wondering could a cap go bad in less than 3 years (29K miles) and not release the pressure after coolant getting cold?
or could it be the cap was over-tightened? I know it clicks when you tight hard but still...

On my previous cars I have changed radiator caps pro-actively after 7-8 years but they were just fine most of the time even at 7-8 years.