failed radiator hose : MGB & GT Forum : The MG Experience

failed radiator hose #1
curtis7420 Curtis Wright University City, MO, USA Sign in to contact 1975 MG MGB "The "B" 2003 Toyota Highlander 4WD 2010 Jeep Wrangler	Topic Creator (OP) Sep 17, 2014 04:56 PM Joined 12 years ago 4,032 Posts

Has this happened to anyone before? This hose is less than 2 yrs old, from Moss (or VB possibly). LESS THAN TWO YRS OLD! I came out of the store to find a trail of coolant in the parking lot. Luckily I was close to home and it didn't reach the "H" until I pulled into the drive. I'll be putting the old one back on o guess....

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Re: failed radiator hose #2
lewisrn Bob L Danville, IN, USA Sign in to contact 1980 MG MGB "The "B"	Sep 17, 2014 08:35 PM Top Contributor Joined 13 years ago 13,194 Posts

That's a pretty common failure point, but it usually lasts longer than 2 years.

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Re: failed radiator hose #3
Dave W David Wilhelm Willits, CA, USA Sign in to contact 1963 MG MGB 1970 MG MGB GT "New Girl"	Sep 17, 2014 10:55 PM Joined 9 years ago 2,626 Posts

Be aware of the tension that you leave on it when you install it.

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Re: failed radiator hose #4
sweep Chris W Gosford, NSW, Australia Sign in to contact 1966 MG MGB "Basil" 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan 2015 Audi A3	Sep 17, 2014 11:10 PM Top Contributor Joined 17 years ago 10,953 Posts

I took off a heater that the PO had installed - sort of - and he had made this to go in the space that junction was. On the left is what he'd made out of stainless - on the right is what I did to it with a angle grinder when I had thoughts of putting the heater back on. (i've since abandoned that idea but if i ever revisit this is what I'll use with two short lengths of hose.

The smaller has an internal thread and I think I'd sweat a thin brass band around the outside of the two bigger ones to retain the hoses.

IF i go back to a heater.

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Re: failed radiator hose #5
ErnieY Ernie Y Albatera, Alicante, Spain Sign in to contact 1976 MG MGB GT	Sep 18, 2014 02:07 AM Top Contributor Joined 12 years ago 19,528 Posts

Pretty common with todays parts unfortunately, particularly rubber components.

The alternative which you could probably knock up yourself for next to nothing.

I always carry a spare pair of hoses in the car plus a length of 1/2" heater hose.

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Re: failed radiator hose #6
Gary G Toronto, ON, Canada Sign in to contact 1979 MG MGB MkIV	Sep 18, 2014 04:44 AM Joined 9 years ago 398 Posts

I always keep a roll of duct tape ion the boot to give me a shot at temporarily sealing a rad hose leak. It would get you home or to the repair shop, whatever is closer.

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Re: failed radiator hose #7
ErnieY Ernie Y Albatera, Alicante, Spain Sign in to contact 1976 MG MGB GT	Sep 18, 2014 06:19 AM Top Contributor Joined 12 years ago 19,528 Posts

You're kidding yourself if you think duct tape will hold a leaky hot hose for more than 5 minutes and if it's the bottom hose gone good luck in even getting it on there !

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Re: failed radiator hose #8
ChuckoldNavy53 Chuck Green Annapolis, MD, USA Sign in to contact 1969 MG MGB MkII "Bee"	Sep 18, 2014 06:36 AM Joined 12 years ago 679 Posts

Please see the following link
http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=65383
It's extreme tape. We used this stuff in the military as an emergency hose bandage and for binding cables together on the ship. Now Moss is selling it. I also found it in Pep Boys and Autozone.
I now have a roll of it in my emergency travel kit.
But on the rubber parts. Yes I've bought hoses, belts and rebound straps that were partly decayed out the box. Didn't even try to put them on. Just sent back. After a couple of times received better quality.
Chuck

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Re: failed radiator hose #9
JackMG Jack Lindler Ĺake Murray (Batesburg), SC, USA Sign in to contact	Sep 18, 2014 06:44 AM Joined 18 years ago 16,307 Posts

They do have a pretty high premature falure rate. I have had betterluck with them in recent years, and yes to being careful of the tension on the small hose when you install.
slip the big hose on the radiator outlet and water pump inlet and side/twist to get the small hose in best position for the heater pipe, then clamp everything.

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Re: failed radiator hose #10
ChuckoldNavy53 Chuck Green Annapolis, MD, USA Sign in to contact 1969 MG MGB MkII "Bee"	Sep 18, 2014 06:53 AM Joined 12 years ago 679 Posts

An alternative is to go to the silicone hoses. I had asked about them a few months ago and received good feedback. I also bought a set, but haven't installed them yet. Others may have comments about them and they are pricey. But if they prove long term reliable, they may be worth it.

http://www.mossmotors.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=119641&SortOrder=1

Chuck

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Re: failed radiator hose #11
kuz1 Keith Kuzma Prattville, AL, USA Sign in to contact 1971 MG MGB 1980 MG MGB Limited Edition (LE)	Sep 18, 2014 06:58 AM Joined 16 years ago 5,348 Posts

I put the earlier cast elbow on all the late cars I have put back together (the one ernie posted)

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Re: failed radiator hose #12
eclecticalan Alan Dalman Holland, MI, USA Sign in to contact 1971 Honda MC CB350 1973 MG MGB GT 1974 Volkswagen Beetle	Sep 18, 2014 09:50 AM Joined 17 years ago 756 Posts

I had 2 of these fail in a similar fashion on customer cars about a year, maybe 18 months ago - both Uro-Parts branded. I haven't had a bad one in a while, however.

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Re: failed radiator hose #13
Gary G Toronto, ON, Canada Sign in to contact 1979 MG MGB MkIV	Sep 18, 2014 12:19 PM Joined 9 years ago 398 Posts

In reply to # 2800297 by ErnieY You're kidding yourself if you think duct tape will hold a leaky hot hose for more than 5 minutes and if it's the bottom hose gone good luck in even getting it on there !

The duct tape lasted 3 days (Sat to Mon) the only time I had to use it. Of course I wrapped it around the hose many times, it looked like a big bulge!

In reply to # 2800310 by ChuckoldNavy53 An alternative is to go to the silicone hoses.

Thanks for the tip!

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