I was hoping someone on here could look at this pic and tell me what I need to do to fix this leak. It is leaking where the arrows are pointing in the picture. When you push down on it the coolant leak out more in that area. Is there an o-ring on the end of this connector that could be the problem. If it helps this is a 350 Chevy engine.

 

heater hose quick disconnect. just replace it.

 

So I can buy just the disconnect for the end of the heater hose without buying the hose? Do I have to remove the part that is threaded into the intake manifold? (Hopefully not) There is no coolant leaking around the base. When I take the disconnect apart is there going to be a mess of coolant so I can put a towel down? Just so I know what to expect. I appreciate your help.

 

The part that threads into the intake manifold is the quick disconnect. Drain the coolant out from the radiator before you start working on it. That should lower the overall coolant level in the cooling system to where you should not have much of a mess when you begin to work with the heater hose quick disconnect. Those disconnects leak anytime that you work with something close to the disconnect. The disconnect comes by itself when you buy it. And, they tend to be a real pain to replace because they will usually break off into the manifold when you try to turn it out with a wrench. It breaks because of how well you need to seal it with pipe thread sealer into the manifold to keep it from leaking at the manifold. There are a few special tools out there to remove this broken part out of the manifold. They usually are like a normal bolt remover. You hammer it into the broken part and it cuts into the sides of the broken off piece of the quick disconnect so that you can turn the tool with a wrench. But, of course, make sure you don't mess up the threads in the manifold.

 

Word of experience with those on my 97 Vortech 5.0. Remove that damn quick disconnect completely!!! Then put in a "normal" hose fitting in the manifold and replace the hose with one that you cut to length and put hose clamps on it!!! I replaced the one in my 97, 3 times before I came to doing it the other way. Not a problem since till I sold it, then it got stolen and ended up in Mexico!!!

And if you do happen to break it off in the manifold and can't seem to get the "easy out" tool to work. If you have a shop vac handy, you can chisel down the side of the piece into the manifold. Stopping every so often to vacuum out any debris. And yes this will cut a line in the threads of the manifold. But if you replace that part, just use a good amount of teflon tape or dope, I prefer tape with a light coat of dope, and put the new piece in. I had to do this on the second and third one going in. I luckily marked the intake manifold where I chiseld the first time so I did the same cut the second time. Pain in my A$$!!!

My Y2K hasn't had a problem yet (knock on wood). But when it does I am removing it and replacing it with a normal heater hose assembly.

Just my .02 though.

 

Thanks. It has been in there for about a year and this is a completely original show vehicle so I have to be careful. The manifold is only a year old or so. I really didn't want to take the chance on taking it out. I was hoping the thing was leaking on the hose end where I could just replace that. Oh well guess not.