Heater Hose R&R

About This Repair

Instead of buying the more expensive complete two-hose heater hose assembly, individual heater hoses can be replaced if you are on a budget. If neither hose has been replaced before, keep in mind that they are both the same age and condition.

Diagrams of the 93–94 and 95–97 heater hoses are shown at those links.

For illustrative purposes, the following pictures were taken with the hose off the car. There will be a little less room to work with the hose still on the car.

Cutting Off the Old Hose

A Dremel cut-off wheel was used to cut through the swaged collar on the hose assembly. It makes for an easy job. Other means can be used (ex. hacksaw blade or some type of metal snips) as long as it gets the job done.

Make a slit with your tool of choice. Stop when you see the black of the heater hose – that means you are through the collar. If you go too deep, you run the risk of cutting into the pipe underneath and ruining it. You only have the thickness of the hose until you get to the pipe.

Pry off the collar

Pry and peel off the collar. A little bit of the collar on the inside edge may not get cut all the way through (because you were being careful, right?). As you pry and separate the collar, the soft aluminum should allow it to snap open.

Pull the hose off

Now that the collar is off, it is a simple matter of pulling the hose off.

Clean Up and Install

Clean up the pipe as best you can. A wire wheel was used since this pipe was off the car; a Scotchbrite pad would likely be helpful if working on the car.

Slide your new hose onto the pipe and secure with a normal hose clamp. Refill, bleed, and check the system for leaks.