Heater hose
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Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Here in No. Calif
Heater hose
Heater hose blew at firewall on Christmas morning and am wondering how far I can drive in this condition. Antifreeze dropped and it is hose on drivers side. Choices are this, drive 2 miles to shop or call AAA and tow it. Towing would be at like 3am as I leave for work and have someone wake up with a flatbed. What ya guys think? I`m thinking tow but,,,,,,,,,,
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2014
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Is it spewing water? It might when the thermostat opens.
I doubt it will open in 2 miles.
I would wait for it to cool down and drive. 2 miles is barely enough to get it up to operating temp.
If it was mine I would drive it. NO revving.
I doubt it will open in 2 miles.
I would wait for it to cool down and drive. 2 miles is barely enough to get it up to operating temp.
If it was mine I would drive it. NO revving.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 868
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From: SoCal
Plug the heater hoses off and drive as long as you want. Normally 2 miles wont get it up to temp, but coolant is always flowing through those hoses whether or not the tsat is open. A cylinder with no coolant around it will ovrheat before the rest of the block gets to operating temp.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2014
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Do wait for some senior member to chime in. I'm' just 'some guy'.
My only worry would be ruining water pump. That's all.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,317
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From: Amarillo, TEXAS!
No, don't do that. The coolant circulates through there whether the thermostat is open or closed. If you don't want to have it towed, you can bypass the heater core with a piece of 5/8" hose. Disconnect both heater hoses, one on top of the water pump and the other at the fitting on the right head and connect the piece of 5/8" hose to the 2 open nipples. OR you can clamp off both heater hoses. Fill the coolant back up, and you can drive it indefinitely that way. You won't have heat though.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Texas
Pull off the other heater hose and put a piece of pipe or nipple to with hose clamps to tie them together. This will bypass your heater, but allow you to drive for as many miles as you wish until you get it fixed.
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Here in No. Calif
Gotcha,,Thanks for help
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2014
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If it is heater core, a metal broom stick makes a pro coupler.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Texas
I remember when broomsticks used to be solid wood, but for that matter, a solid plug in the lines would work also. The water pump pressure would just divert the flow to the path of least resistance so you don't run the risk of it blowing the plug out from increased pressure.