a200qa
New member
- Joined
- Oct 21, 2018
- Messages
- 29
- Reaction score
- 15
- Points
- 3
- Buick Ownership
- 2018 TourX Essence
Our tourx has 104,000 miles on it. Last week, based on some warnings posted here and on the Facebook forum, I checked on the state of the short plastic section of the coolant bleed hose (runs from the back of the head, along the firewall to the coolant fill bottle). I squeezed (squoze?) the plastic tube, and it immediately cracked and broke in half. The part number of the replacement part is 39059517 (~$38 online), but is often back-ordered. I have no idea why they insert the short section of plastic tubing instead using one continuous rubber hose, and I know at least one person who indeed just replaced their hose assy using just a piece of 5/16" fuel hose.
In any case, while I wait for the part to become available, I figured on a way to replace the plastic hose. I used Dorman part number 800-057, which is a repair part from nylon fuel lines. I cut it to approximately the right length, and then very carefully heated it and added the curved bends ( I used a tube bender and filled the tube with coffee grounds to keep its from kinking). To attach it at each end you need to very carefully remove the two aluminum nipples that are in the ends of the old tube (again, using heat) and press them into the new hose.
I've attached pics of the old hose (in pieces), the replacement part, and the installed part.
Note - the part gets quite soft when hot coolant is running through it, so I still plan to replace the assy when the correct part is available. I also have a length of 5/16" hose in the "trunk" just in case.....
In any case, while I wait for the part to become available, I figured on a way to replace the plastic hose. I used Dorman part number 800-057, which is a repair part from nylon fuel lines. I cut it to approximately the right length, and then very carefully heated it and added the curved bends ( I used a tube bender and filled the tube with coffee grounds to keep its from kinking). To attach it at each end you need to very carefully remove the two aluminum nipples that are in the ends of the old tube (again, using heat) and press them into the new hose.
I've attached pics of the old hose (in pieces), the replacement part, and the installed part.
Note - the part gets quite soft when hot coolant is running through it, so I still plan to replace the assy when the correct part is available. I also have a length of 5/16" hose in the "trunk" just in case.....
