Easiest way to get radiator hoe off to change coolant

[mkellerman]

Today I wanted to change my coolant, but when I went to take off the lower radiator hose to drain it, I didn't find an easy way to get access to it from the bottom of the car.

I am doing this at the side of a road and I do not have axle stands, so I am just wondering the easiest way to get access to this hose.

Can I get access from the offside wheel arch using the access panel for changing the headlight bulbs?

If I take the front bumper off, will I be able to access it? Looking through the radiator grill, it looks like the cooling fan might be in the way--I cannot see clearly.

Any idea would be appreciated!

[madeupname]

Hello again.
If you take the front bumper off that should give you the space underneath to get at the clip that holds the hose on. Get a washing up bowl or large roasting tin ready to catch the coolant though

[mkellerman]

Originally Posted by madeupname

Hello again.
If you take the front bumper off that should give you the space underneath to get at the clip that holds the hose on. Get a washing up bowl or large roasting tin ready to catch the coolant though

Thanks for that! I'll probably do that then. It will also give me a chance to see whether there has been any previous crash damage plus I might be able to align the bumper better when I put it back on again.

Thanks again for your help!

[drewbie]

Sounds a bit extreme to take the bumper off to remove the lower rad hose. I would strongly advise investing in a trolley jack and axle stands if you are going to self service.

[COLVERT]

I changed the anti-freeze in mine last year.

I took off the under tray and the job was very easy.---

[Brillebruder]

Mine was even easier as I dont have a under tray to start with!

[dbt01]

Originally Posted by drewbie

Sounds a bit extreme to take the bumper off to remove the lower rad hose. I would strongly advise investing in a trolley jack and axle stands if you are going to self service.

Yes, no need to take the bumper off at all. Undertray will have to come off, that's all. The hose sometimes sticks on the metal pipe of the rad even when the hose-clamp is fully loosened. Lots of tugging and 'tempting' will work (and shoot coolant all over your arm!)
NEVER stick your head under a car which is not properly supported on axle stands or on drive-on ramps ... never!


David

[Lord of Hog]

I assume you've removed the air intake assembly to maximise your access from above? Since you're going to be letting fluid out of the system it makes no difference if you disconnect some of the other hoses to improve access to the lower ones further. However you do need to be above a certain height to then bend over into the gap.

If that's not your thing then I've also had reasonable success with disconnecting the leading edge of the undertray just enough to pull it down for access. Only drawback with this is that the water coming out of the hose does tend to go all over you!

[madeupname]

Good advice here. I only suggested removing the bumper because the op said he didn't have the equipment to lift the car, and it's a fiddly job getting the clips undone. I found it a lot easier to do when the bumper was off. But then again, I was changing the radiator too

[bluemalbert]

Originally Posted by Lord of Hog

I assume you've removed the air intake assembly to maximise your access from above? Since you're going to be letting fluid out of the system it makes no difference if you disconnect some of the other hoses to improve access to the lower ones further. However you do need to be above a certain height to then bend over into the gap.

If that's not your thing then I've also had reasonable success with disconnecting the leading edge of the undertray just enough to pull it down for access. Only drawback with this is that the water coming out of the hose does tend to go all over you!

Another little tip which helped me is once the air cleaner box is out of the way, try to move the clip on the bottom hose round(from underneath) so that the release tabs are on top. this makes it SOOO much easier!