Lower Radiator Hose Leak

[sext7366]

Since I rebuilt my motor and got er back in I have had a small leak at my lower radiator hose.  Initially I had double checked the hose and it was fine, i put the clamp on the hose right before the outer lip of the water pump housing.  I then noticed the leak and tried to retighten it with a screwdriver but it was allready as tight as I could get it so I used a socket wrench and it moved maybe a turn more.  Still leaking, so should I move the clamp further up on the hose (toward the housing)  It just seems weird that it still leaks since it as tight as possible.  The hose doesn't have any cracks, and it appears that the fluid is comming from the inside of the house and running down.  Any ideas...

[Wakko]

Make sure the surface is clean and has no scaling or corrosion.  Wirebrush it if you can first, then put a light coat of soap on the inside of the hose to act as a lubricant.  Make sure you slide the hose completely up to the little stopper nub on the housing and tighten the hose clamp about 1/2 from the end of the hose, not the end of the housing.  Unless there's a defect, it will not leak.

[resq302]

What I have used in the past that I found works really well is pipe thread sealant with TEFLON.  Make sure it has Teflon or it will leak still.  Basically it is plumbers putty and the teflon acts as a sealant.  I put a little on the inside of the hose prior to sliding it over the fitting.  Not only have I found this to stop leaks but it also prevents the hose from freezing and seizing to the metal fittings.  This allows you to remove the hose without cutting it off and being able to reuse the hoses.

[firefighter3931]

When i've encountered stubborn leaks on rad/heater/fuel hoses etc....the double clamp trick allways seems to work.

Ron