How Do I Remove the Lower Radiator Hose From a 1992 Mazda Truck?

As radiator hoses age over time, they begin to break down and deteriorate on the inside. Even though this effect is unpreventable, it worsens if the cooling system goes unchecked. Mazda recommends a thorough inspection of cooling system components every 15,000 miles. You should also completely flush and refill the coolant every 24 months, regardless of the amount of time you spend driving the truck. A leaking or ruptured radiator hose never happens in a convenient location--such as your driveway at home. However, with proper and timely maintenance, you can avoid radiator hose damage and other cooling system failures.

Instructions

1

Open the driver's door and pull the truck's hood release lever. Raise and support the hood. Push down on the radiator cap and turn it counterclockwise to unlock it from the radiator. Remove the cap and set it aside.

2

Apply the truck's emergency brake and raise the front end of the truck with a hydraulic jack. Place a jack stand behind both of the front tires beneath the frame rail. Lower the hydraulic jack until the truck completely rests on the support arms of the jack stands.

3

Slide under the front end of the truck beneath the radiator. Place a drain pan directly under the drain plug at the corner of the radiator. Slowly turn the drain plug counterclockwise until a steady flow of coolant begins to come out of the rubber tube beneath the drain plug. Allow the coolant to completely drain from the radiator, which should take 20 to 25 minutes. Then close the drain plug.

4

Move the drain pan over so that it sits beneath the lower radiator hose. The pan should be directly under the hose connection at the radiator. If the hose has a screw tension clamp holding it in position on the radiator, use a socket wrench to loosen the clamp then drag the clamp back 6 inches onto the hose. If the hose has a spring tension clamp on it, use a pair of pliers to squeeze the two metal tabs on the clamp together then drag the clamp back onto the hose 6 inches.

5

Pull the lower radiator hose off its connection on the radiator. If the hose will not come off, use a box cutter and cut a vertical 4-inch slit in the hose, then peel the hose off its connection.

6

Slide the drain pan over so that it sits beneath the lower radiator hose's connection on the side of the engine. Remove the hose from this connection just as you removed it from the radiator.

7

Set the defective hose down into the drain pan once it's removed. Thoroughly clean both hose connecting points with a shop rag.