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Heater hose assembly

Tiny
TONY M
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 CHEVROLET CAMARO
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • RWD
  • MANUAL
  • 200,000 MILES
I cannot remove the T-40 bolt that holds the heater hose assembly to the frame of the car. I watched your video, but it only recommends removing this bolt but does not show how to get to it. I have tried several tools. The 3/8 drive ratchet with T-40 bit is too big. I have tried using a bit ratchet, but they are too short and not heavy duty enough. I broke one already. I tried loosening up the AC compressor, but couldn't get it to move out of the way in order to get to the bolt. Is there a method or special tool?

Also, in the video, you replaced the entire assembly. My local auto parts store only carries one of the hoses. Rock Auto carries three out of the four. I cannot find the entire assembly. Where did you purchase the entire assembly?

The heater hose assembly has two metal pipes with rubber hoses on each end. Pipe 1 to heater core, pipe 2 to heater core, pipe 1 to engine, etc. The hoses appear to be crimped on these pipes. Hopefully I can remove the old hoses and reuse the pipes with the new hoses. The other issue I see is that the hoses attach to the engine using a plastic clip and connector. The video indicates to twist and remove the hose from the engine. That is the easy part. The video shows heater hose inserts attached to the engine. The hoses I received from Rock Auto do not have these inserts and I cannot find them anywhere. Did these inserts come with the assembly you purchased?

Thanks
Tony
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Wednesday, March 16th, 2016 AT 6:23 PM

13 Replies

Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
I used a torx bit and a wrench to remove the bolt no socket.

https://youtu.be/lwtDjEk5qXY

They do make a heater hose fitting repair kit that replaces the quick disconnect for your vehicle. The info I looked at, the heater core end is just a piece of hose with hose clamp. The replacement fitting for the quick disconnect is just a fitting with mounting bolt that allows you to use hose with hose clamp.

I haven't seen the video, don't know anything about it. I've never used that heater hose fitting repair kit, don't know anything about it. I hate to see you order a bunch of parts that won't work for some reason?

The exploded view of heater core that I looked at, only shows two heater hoses/lines. I can't see much from here. As far as the bolt, I can't see much from here. Can you use a long chisel and hammer to get the bolt to move, a little? If it is frozen, all I know for you to do, is knock off the head, remove the part . Even then, you still have to have enough room to use a drill, drill a hole in the remaining part, so you can use a ease-out or tap to remove remaining part. I don't want to cause you more problems than you already got. Use your best judgement.
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Thursday, March 17th, 2016 AT 9:47 AM
Tiny
TONY M
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Thanks for the help. I did find the heater hose assembly on E-Bay. It includes the replacement fittings. They also offer the fittings separately.

I will try the chisel method.
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Thursday, March 17th, 2016 AT 10:07 AM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
My info says the fittings are in the drive belt tensioner. I don't know if you can remove the drive belt tensioner to make it easier to get at?
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Thursday, March 17th, 2016 AT 12:07 PM
Tiny
TONY M
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
The fittings are easy to get to. I have already disconnected them a couple of times. I am having trouble getting to the bolt that holds the heater hose assembly to the frame. It is held on the frame using a T-40 torx head bolt. It is located on the passenger side of the engine compartment. There is approximately 2 inches between the head of this bolt and the AC compressor. It sits right above the engine cradle and back 10-12 inches. I have a bit ratchet that is 4 inches long, but it is too short to reach the bolt. I tried extending the bit ratchet using a piece of conduit, but I still cannot get the bolt loose.
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Thursday, March 17th, 2016 AT 12:16 PM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Can you move bracket assembly, a little. I mean drill and tap another hole for new bracket, forget the old bracket. Make or get another bracket. If it is possible to drill/tap a new hole, so you can move the assembly, just a little, so you have more room? Maybe you can reuse old bracket, just knock off the bolt head to get the bracket, hopefully.
I can only make suggestions, I can't see anything from here.
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Thursday, March 17th, 2016 AT 12:49 PM
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Just to add, moving the bracket a few inches, drilling and tapping a new small hole in frame rail, wouldn't worry me a bit. Use your best judgement.
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Thursday, March 17th, 2016 AT 1:07 PM
Tiny
TONY M
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
I agree, moving the bracket may not be a problem. If you look at the picture I attached, this is what mine looks like. The mounting bracket is attached to both metal hoses. I wouldn't be able to move it much, otherwise the rubber hoses wouldn't reach. The Torx head bolt goes into the round hole and the tab prevents it from spinning. There is barely enough room to even get to the head of the bolt, so I think it would be difficult to drill and tip a new hole. I think the best bet would be to remove the existing bolt. I just need to figure out the best way to do that. I appreciate your time and suggestions.
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Thursday, March 17th, 2016 AT 1:52 PM
Tiny
JDL
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I see what you mean. You just have to do what you think best. Let us know.
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Thursday, March 17th, 2016 AT 2:21 PM
Tiny
TONY M
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Okay, I will. Thanks
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Thursday, March 17th, 2016 AT 2:41 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,940 POSTS
Check out this video I think it will help

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwtDjEk5qXY

Remove the torx bit from the socket and use a wrench
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-1
Saturday, March 19th, 2016 AT 3:39 AM
Tiny
TONY M
  • MEMBER
  • 7 POSTS
Yes, I already looked at that video. If you look at the video at 1:10 minutes, it recommends removing the screw. Problem is, I cannot get this screw out. It is very hard to get to and there is not much room. That was my original question, how do you remove this screw (with the T-40 head).
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Tuesday, March 22nd, 2016 AT 4:50 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,940 POSTS
Use the torx with a wrench, that's what I did
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Tuesday, March 22nd, 2016 AT 7:45 PM
Tiny
TONY M
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  • 7 POSTS
Okay. Thanks. I will try that again.
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Wednesday, March 23rd, 2016 AT 5:29 AM

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