how hard should the upper rad hose be?

[aar0s]

Ive been noticing that my upper radiator hose gets darn near rock hard and sometimes i can see what looks like glue or something being forced out of the hose at the ends where the factory cuts are made. I just put the t-stat in about two months ago and its not in backwards so Im guessing that its time to change my hoses but was wondering how hard the upper should get?

 

[89llx]

sounds like a blown head gasket, can you see bubbles in the radiator? you might be pumping compression threw the headgasket into the water jacket

 

[RatStang]

Even at operating temp, you should still be able to squeeze the hose (although not easily). Your cap may need replacing as well. Regardless of the reasons for the cooling system pressure to be high, your cap should be venting at its predetermined pressure.

 

[aar0s]

no bubbles in the radiator and i can squeeze it but with more than moderate effort. the radiator is about 10 years old, could it be clogged somewhere? is there a way to check that?

 

[Mustang5L5]

Rad cap should vent if its pressurized.

Mine gets hard, but i can still squeeze it. I'd replace the radiator cap.

 

[aar0s]

i replaced the cap, probably should have said that at first, maybe i just never noticed how hard the hose got before. ill pull and replace the hoses anyway, cant remember when i put them on but it was a while back, and possibly the rad too. been having cooling problems over 2k for a while and its time i started in on them. sounds like ive found my winter project to me.