Some drivers get confused between the two terms for a car’s cooling system: coolant hose & radiator hose. Well, these components play an important role in the cooling system of your car. In this guide, we will discuss coolant hose vs radiator hose in detail.
| Main Features | Coolant Hose | Radiator Hose |
| Meaning | It is a general hose which carries coolant between different parts of the cooling system | This is specific type of coolant hose that connects the radiator to the engine |
| Purpose | Moves coolant between cooling system components | Carries coolant to and from the radiator |
| Location | Placed in different parts of the cooling system | Mainly installed between the radiator and engine |
| Coolant Flow | Carry coolant in different directions based on its location | Transfer coolant between the engine and radiator |
| Connections | Connect the engine to the heater core, thermostat housing, expansion tank, radiator, water pump, cylinder head | Join top and bottom part of radiator with engine’s thermostat housing and water pump |
| Shape | There is different shape of each hose | Generally, has a molded shape to fit the radiator and engine |
| Material | Made from EPDM rubber, silicone or other heat-resistant materials | Manufactured from EPDM or reinforced rubber/silicone |
| Replacement time | Change according to specific hose you are replacing | Upper radiator hose take less time, lower hose require more time |
| Pressure exposure | Tolerate moderate to high heat and coolant pressure | Upper radiator pipe faces high coolant pressure and heat |
| Example | A heater hose carries coolant to the heater core | The lower hose carries cold coolant from the radiator to the engine |
What is a Coolant Hose?
A coolant hose is a rubber or silicone tube that is used to carry liquid coolant between the engine and radiator of your car. Basically, when the engine runs, it produces a lot of heat. The coolant absorbs this heat and moves through the hoses/coolant tubes to keep the engine at a safe temperature.
If a coolant hose cracks or leaks, the coolant level can drop. This can cause engine overheating and other cooling system problems. In simple words, a coolant hose acts like a path that moves coolant around your vehicle’s engine to control its heat.
Types of Coolant Hoses
How many coolant hoses does a car have? Majorly there are 4 types of coolant hoses but if you have a modified or racing car it can have more than 4 coolant tubes. Some of these coolant hoses are listed below.
- Upper radiator hose
- Lower radiator hose
- Bypass hose
- Heater hose
- Coolant overflow tank hose
- Turbo coolant hose
What is a Radiator Hose?
A radiator hose is a flexible pipe that transports coolant between vehicle engine and radiator. The radiator removes excess heat from the engine and holds its temperature in a safe range. Silicone radiator hoses can comparatively bear high temperatures as compared to EPDM rubber.
Types of Radiator Hoses
There are mainly two types of radiator hoses. They are classified on the basis of their location and purpose.
- Upper Radiator Hoses: Upper radiator hose is located on the top of the radiator and connects the upper part (thermostat housing) of the engine to the radiator. Basically, it takes hot coolant from the engine and drops it in the radiator for cooling process.
- Lower Radiator Hoses: After cooling process, cooled liquid use lower radiator hose to reach back toward the engine block. This hose experiences a water pump suction process therefore, you might find an internal spring in it. Because this helix spring holds the shape of the hose & stops the collapse due to sucking pressure.
Comparison of Coolant Hose vs Radiator Hose
1. Location of Hoses
Coolant Hose Location: Where is the coolant hose located? A coolant hose is present in different parts of the cooling system. It connects the engine to the heater core, thermostat housing, radiator, expansion tank or other cooling parts. Actually, its exact location depends on the vehicle and the job of the hose.
Radiator Hose Location: Well, the upper radiator hose connects the engine to the top of the radiator so it is present on the front side. The lower radiator hose connects the bottom of the radiator to the engine or water pump which means it is located underneath the front of your car.
2. Working or Purpose
Coolant hoses carry coolant between different parts of a cooling system. It helps the coolant to reach areas where it needs heat control. For example, a heater hose transfers hot coolant to the heater core.
A radiator hose has a more specific job. The upper radiator hose carries hot coolant from the engine to the radiator. After the radiator removes heat from the coolant, the lower radiator hose carries the cooler coolant back to the engine.
3. Material & Shape
Coolant hoses come in different materials and shapes. Mostly, these hoses use heat-resistant rubber or silicone. Their shape depends on where you want to place the hose and connect with which part of cooling system.
Radiator hoses are also made up of rubber or silicone. They have a molded shape which can fit with the radiator and engine connections. Moreover, upper and lower radiator hoses can have different shapes and sizes, which are designed to match their fixing positions.
4. Pressure & Temperature Exposure
Both coolant and radiator hoses operate in a hot and pressurized cooling system. Therefore, they are designed to handle high pressure and temperature. A silicone tube can tolerate -65°C to 260°C in normal conditions. Furthermore, a radiator hose resists pressure of around 14.5 to 43.5 PSI.
5. Connection Points
An individual coolant hose has two connection points. So, if your specific car model has 6 coolant hoses there will be 12 joining points. On the other side, there are 4 connecting places of radiator hoses.
6. Replacement Frequency
The replacement time of coolant hose depends on its type, material, heat exposure, road type and usage of the vehicle. But the average life span of a radiator hose is 4 to 5 years or 50000 to 100,000 miles. Specifically, you should replace hoses when you notice cracks, leaks, swelling or soft spots.
7. Cost of Replacement
Coolant Hose Replacement Cost: Its replacement cost can vary with its specific kind. For example, if you want to change a heater hose you can expect labor costs of about $151 to $222 and the parts for your vehicle might cost around $422 to $426.
Radiator Hose Replacement Cost: If you see radiator hose replacement cost, it ranges from $150 to $450 in an auto mechanic shop. But a DIY cost of radiator hose changing is $35 to $140. In addition, a heavy-duty diesel truck, such as ford super duty, ram heavy duty and GMC Sierra HD you can be charged around $450 to $850 or more.
Symptoms of Defective Radiator and Coolant Hose
Coolant and radiator hoses are made with almost similar material and carry the same coolant so you will see alike signs if one of them gets damaged or defective. Some common signs which you may see are listed in the table.
| Type of Symptom | What You Notice |
| Visible Damage | Cracks, blistering, swelling, bulging of a hose |
| Texture Changes | Spongy, too soft, brittle or very hard hoses |
| Shape of the Hose | Collapsed or nicked coolant or radiator tubes. |
| Leaks And Residue | Wet spots, active dripping, white or green dried crust, discoloration of hoses |
| Dashboard Signs | Low coolant level, engine overheating gauge climbs |
| Smell or Smoke | White smoke under the hood, sweet or burning smell or steam |
Final Thoughts
We conclude that a radiator hose is a type of coolant hose, and coolant hoses provide a path to supply coolant in different components of the cooling system. You must inspect all the tubes on time before they get damaged and cause any major issue in your car.
According to our advice you should select a premium quality hose for a cooling system. Actually, our company RONTEIX provides you several hoses such as NBR and silicone hose. Furthermore, if any specific cooling system faces oil mist or harsh chemicals, you can order our fluorosilicone hose.
FAQs
Why is One Radiator Hose Hot Other Cold?
Because an upper radiator hose carries hot coolant from the engine of your car to the radiator therefore it is hot. On the other side, a lower radiator hose transfers the coolant back to the engine so it is cold.
How to Remove Coolant Hose Connectors?
You can remove a coolant hose connector when the engine is completely cool. You should place a drain pan under the connector to catch any coolant. Then remove the clamp or locking clip. At last, twist and pull the hose gently to remove the connector.
How to Remove Stuck Hose on Car?
If a hose is stuck, use pliers or a hose removal tool with care. You can also spray a small amount of silicone lubricant around the connection to break the seal. Always remember you should not use a knife or extreme force because this can damage your hose or the fitting.
