Big Rig Basics: Don't Get Hosed
BIG RIG BASICS
JOHN BAXTER
Don’t Get Hosed
oolant hoses are attacked by many under-hood forces. For this reason, they need to be inspected at every routine maintenance interval for your truck and replaced if they show damage.
Avoid roadside trouble by regular inspection and replacement of damaged hoses
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Turn the engine off and let it cool until you can comfortably inspect the hoses. First, look at them for obvious signs of trouble: The outside cover of this hose If you see a leak, most has been damaged by rubbing often occurring where something in the engine comthe hose is connected to partment. Replace the hose and an engine or radiator fitreroute it or protect it so it won’t ting, make a note of it. be damaged again The best fix is normally to replace the hose with a new one (unless it is obvious that it is in very good condition) and make sure it is clamped properly.
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Oil causes the hose to lose strength and swell to form a bulge. Repair the oil leak on the engine, then replace the hose.
26 TRUCKERS NEWS SEPTEMBER 2010
There isn’t much you can do about ozone, but because the outside cover no longer seals the hose from further damage, it should be replaced.