Upper radiator hose, did'nt realize I had to trim.

[dogtail]

I blew my upper radiator hose. I did an on the road quick install at an Autozone parking lot. I thought it was an idiot proof install, apparently not. I was about 15 miles in and I popped the hood to top off the coolant when I got home. I noticed coolant spraying out of the bottom of the hose where the fan was nicking it. So I bought another of the same Dayco hose and put it on and positioned it best I could away from fan, was still too close.
So I looked up part number on the Dayco site and verified correct....and it says "cut to fit", had to cut 2 inches off it to be at the right position. Never had to do this, I just always installed the hose without thinking about it, and I replaced a few these before on 3rd gens. But fits good now and all is good.

 

[4Reak Show]

Good observation. Last time I shopped for radiator hoses I want to say the generic parts houses list same hose for top and bottom (?). This makes carrying a spare on trips easier since you only need one hose. (Unless both blow out, then you need a roll of duck tape)

 

[Taylor20]

Just and FYI, if the hoses ARE NOT needed in a pinch, they are really cheap at the dealer. Under $20 each if I remember correctly.

 

[JMat]

Just and FYI, if the hoses ARE NOT needed in a pinch, they are really cheap at the dealer. Under $20 each if I remember correctly.

I second that... And they're not cut to fit. They fit right the first time.

 

[mtbtim]

I don't know about the auto parts store radiator hoses you have tried but the OEM hoses from Toyota have a correct way and a wrong way of installing them. What I mean is there is a definite radiator side and engine side and Toyota marks it for you so you're less likely to screw it up. The side with the yellow mark connects to the engine and the side with the white mark connects to the radiator.

When I bought my 2000, I realized the upper hose was put on backwards allowing it to come in close proximity to the fan blades. The mechanic that worked on it even booted it with an extra piece of hose as a protective measure. What the mechanic didn't realize is if he just flipped it around, the hose would clear the fan blades by a mile. I caught it just in time before the hose blew. The fan blades had gouged the hose but it wasn't leaking yet.

I don't know if this is the case with your situation and you installed it backwards but I figured I'd share my experience and knowledge on this. Like somebody already mentioned, when possible, go with OEM and you're likely to have less headaches.

 

[phattyduck]

Yup, the parts store hoses are the same top and bottom. The shape is halfway between the two OEM hose shapes so it can be used in both locations. If you trim the top one correctly, it fits well enough to use.

I probably should have gone with OEM hoses though, thinking back on it. :thumb:

(and I should probably get new spring clamps for the hose too!)

-Charlie

 

[dogtail]

Good observation. Last time I shopped for radiator hoses I want to say the generic parts houses list same hose for top and bottom (?). This makes carrying a spare on trips easier since you only need one hose. (Unless both blow out, then you need a roll of duck tape)

Yeah, I did roadside duct tape with some Gorilla Tape and filled with enough coolant to get me to Autozone. The tape seemed to hold very well and held a lot of air pressure.

 

[dogtail]

I don't know about the auto parts store radiator hoses you have tried but the OEM hoses from Toyota have a correct way and a wrong way of installing them. What I mean is there is a definite radiator side and engine side and Toyota marks it for you so you're less likely to screw it up. The side with the yellow mark connects to the engine and the side with the white mark connects to the radiator.

When I bought my 2000, I realized the upper hose was put on backwards allowing it to come in close proximity to the fan blades. The mechanic that worked on it even booted it with an extra piece of hose as a protective measure. What the mechanic didn't realize is if he just flipped it around, the hose would clear the fan blades by a mile. I caught it just in time before the hose blew. The fan blades had gouged the hose but it wasn't leaking yet.

I don't know if this is the case with your situation and you installed it backwards but I figured I'd share my experience and knowledge on this. Like somebody already mentioned, when possible, go with OEM and you're likely to have less headaches.

No this was a mirror image hose, so both sides were same, and I did flip it to check. Like a one size fits all hose. Yeah I agree on OEM and I'll replace this one with my next OEM order as I'm sure I'll get a lot more miles out of it too.
It would be devastating to overheat and blow a head gasket. I've been thinking it would be good to have an aftermarket overheat idiot light on these, cause the gauge could be pegged in the redzone before you realize it, I'm not always looking at the gauges, but a red light would catch my eye.

 

[BostonJon]

I don't know about the auto parts store radiator hoses you have tried but the OEM hoses from Toyota have a correct way and a wrong way of installing them. What I mean is there is a definite radiator side and engine side and Toyota marks it for you so you're less likely to screw it up. The side with the yellow mark connects to the engine and the side with the white mark connects to the radiator.

When I bought my 2000, I realized the upper hose was put on backwards allowing it to come in close proximity to the fan blades. The mechanic that worked on it even booted it with an extra piece of hose as a protective measure. What the mechanic didn't realize is if he just flipped it around, the hose would clear the fan blades by a mile. I caught it just in time before the hose blew. The fan blades had gouged the hose but it wasn't leaking yet.

I don't know if this is the case with your situation and you installed it backwards but I figured I'd share my experience and knowledge on this. Like somebody already mentioned, when possible, go with OEM and you're likely to have less headaches.

^This. I had the same issue when I replaced my water bypass pipe. Got everything back together and the upper hose didn’t look right. I stared at it for 5 min before realizing that I had it on backwards. for the upper hose, there is definitely an engine side and a radiator side of the OEM hose. Mine didn’t have a colored marking (anymore).