Symptoms of a failing Heater Hose

Leaking coolant

Oh, leaks. Aren’t they just the best? I'm sure you already know that leaks aren’t a great thing for a car to have. Your car has many different types of fluids in it, so it can be hard to tell what the cause of a leak is without getting in there and getting your hands dirty. But cracked and failing heater hoses will leak coolant, so if it’s coolant that’s under your car, a hose could certainly be the issue.

Low coolant levels

It goes without saying that if your car is leaking coolant, then the coolant levels will lower. When heater hoses wear out, they’ll leak coolant, and your car has a limited supply of that. Look, no judgement here if you’re not getting up close and personal with your car’s fluids. But it is something to get in the hang of. It only takes a few minutes to check all the fluid levels in your car, and I guarantee you it’s a good use of your time.

Noticeably cracked hoses

if you’re not regularly checking your fluid levels, then you’re probably not popping the hood and checking out your hoses. If you are though, you can usually spot a cracked heater hose. Heater hoses, like most hoses, are made of rubber and rubber gets old and stiff, and begins to crack. So, if you or a mechanic notice visibly cracked hoses, then it’s time to replace them.

Engine is overheating

Coolant is responsible for keeping your engine at a safe temperature, and coolant is what runs through the heater hoses. So, it only follows that if the hoses crack and leak coolant, the engine will have a harder time staying low in temperature. Your car has an engine temperature gauge, right there next to your speedometer and warning lights. When it shows an engine that’s too hot, you need to pay attention. It means your engine is overheating, and it may be because of busted heater hoses.