First off, I have a 1998 Ford Mustang 3.8L V6 with almost 50k miles on it. I was changing oil last night, and decided that while I was under the car anyway, I would check the lower radiator hose for excessive squishyness, or other visible signs of deterioration. Well, in squeezing the hose, I noticed that it felt hard in parts, but not in others. I squeezed that hard parts a little harder, and it felt like something crumbling inside there. I also went to check the upper hose, but that one seemed fine. What could be wrong with that lower hose? Do you think I just need to replace the hose, or is there something else wrong with my cooling system? Thanks

 

The car is four years old, time for hose changes anyhow.

You might be feeling the spring inside the lower hose.

 

Spring? I didn't know there was a spring inside there. What is that for?

 

Its to keep the hose from colasping when the antifreeze cools and shrinks its volume.You should change it soon or it will blow.

 

When a spring is used in the lower hose, it is to prevent it from collasping because it is the suction hose.

Flow is hot water out the upper hose through the rad. Water pump sucks from lower hose and pushes through the block back to upper hose

Larry

 

I stand corrected.

 

davidf
Really wasn't lookin to correct ya, just to clarify

BTW when hoses colaspe on coolant a recovery system you have a bad pressure cap

Larry