How to Repair Corroded Heater Hose in a Chrysler Town & Country

The No. 1 cause of a corroded heater hose is a lapse in cooling system maintenance. Chrysler recommends that you inspect or replace the Town & Country's heater hoses every 7,500 miles and flush the coolant every 45,000 miles. A corroded heater hose requires immediate attention and replacement because it's an indication of a coolant leak. As the hose deteriorates, you risk rupture, and possibly costly engine damage. You can replace the heater hose on the Town & Country at home with the right tools.

Instructions

1

Lift and support the hood on your Town & Country. Remove the radiator cap and set it to the side of the work area.

2

Slide a coolant drain pan under the radiator directly in line with the radiator's drain cock. Slowly open the drain cock by turning it counterclockwise until the coolant starts to flow out of it. Allow the coolant to completely drain, then close the drain cock. Draining the coolant should take 15 to 20 minutes.

3

Follow the corroded heater hose over to the firewall where it's connected to the heater core tube. Loosen the heater hose clamp with a socket wrench and slide it back on the hose 6 inches.

4

Pull the hose off the heater core tube and lift it vertically to allow the leftover coolant in the hose to back-fill into the engine. Follow the hose over to its connection on the engine and loosen its hose clamp. Pull the clamp back 6 inches on the hose and then pull the hose off of its connection on the engine.

5

Wipe down the heater core tube and the heater hose connection on the engine with a shop rag. Do not use any chemicals or tools to remove the corroded coolant. Wet the shop rag with water and wipe down the connections if a dry rag proves ineffective.

6

Place a new hose clamp on each side of the new heater hose. Slide both clamps back on the hose just as you did to remove the old heater hose.

7

Install the new heater hose on the engine connection first. Push the hose back onto the nipple and slide the clamp down into its original position. Set your 1/4-inch drive torque wrench to 25 inch-lbs. and tighten the clamp's bolt until secure. Repeat this step to install the hose back onto the heater core tube.

8

Refill the radiator with fresh coolant and put the radiator cap back on securely. Shut the hood.