heatleymvp

Hey guys I have a 98 firebird 3.8. Yesterday I developed a small leak in one of my hoses. The leak is a the first aluminum covering on the top hose coming out of the tensioner. My question is that I've seen posts on here and every one says the whole replacement assembly is around $100 but why can't you just get the replacement hose from autozone? Thanks.

The pic isn't mine but its a good reference

TechCam97

iTrader: (5)

Because of the way the hoses are crimped to the steel tubing. I'm not really sure why you would want to deviate from the factory design by making it just loose rubber tubing flopping around the engine bay? The factory design keeps the hoses tucked nicely against the inner fender and away from the engine / exhaust. It wasn't that hard to replace either, I did it on my old 1993 Z28 and it only took me an afternoon. Most of that time was from me flushing the cooling system completely before I refilled it. Don't skimp, get the correct part and you'll be much happier.

heatleymvp

Alright cool thanks. I just wanted to check before I did anything to fix it.

Daniel Richards

iTrader: (1)

I skimped and I'm perfectly happy, I got the adapter fitting that go into the tensioner from firehawkjeff on ebay that let you use the regular hose and then bought a few feet of hose from the parts store and for a little more then 1/3rd the cost of that replacement assembly I now have hoses that can be replaced for less then 10 bucks should they ever need replacing again.

heatleymvp

Do tou have a link for that adapter?

Daniel Richards

iTrader: (1)

here is an old link http://www.ebay.com/itm/95-02-3-8-V6-Camaro-Heater-Hose-Hoses-Repair-Kit-/161294874084?vxp=mtr&ViewItem=&item=161294874084&nma=true&si=HrmwgWsSbCpBb5e%252BZh3H%252FfE9CD4%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557 it looks like he doesn't have any right now (I hope it's not against the rules to post this, If it is Mods I'm sorry and feel free to delete the link)

the issue that comes up is both of the fittings are for 5/8 heater hose and on the heater core you have a 5/8 and a 3/4 so you need to get like a foot of 3/4 hose and an adapter to step down to 5/8 then like 4 feet or so of 5/8 and enough hose clamps for everything and you should be out the door under 50 bucks for everything (vs the 140 for the factory assembly new on ebay), the only thing you'd be missing is the "restrictor" that goes in the 3/4 line and there is a debate as to whether it's needed or not, but if you want one the parts stores sell them for like 20 bucks (and of course more hose clamps for it).

MasterTomos

iTrader: (15)

Gotta check this out. This may be helpful:

http://shbox.com/1/heater_hose_repair.html