Heater Hose "T"

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

oldchev

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 30, 2014
Posts
116
Reaction score
50
Location
Santa Maria, Ca
If you have the in-radiator trans cooler make 100% sure of your radiator’s age since you just replaced that trans. It’s not super common for those to leak inside the radiator which results in coolant getting mixed in with your trans fluid which will destroy your new trans quickly but it is known to happen especially in a high-mileage truck. I replaced my radiator at 150k with a new OEM one just because of this possibility. Just a heads up, you wouldn’t want to replace that again I’m sure.
Good advice, however on 3rd radiator so far. Newest is 4 years. Seems radiators experiance O ring leaks at cooler lines. Various seeping issues elsewhere. For me, whether radiator or water pump or both, everything gets changed. Belts, hoses, T stat, coolant. Maybe overkill, but for the extra dollars = peace of mind. BTW, now needing 4th water pump. 60-80K or 4 years which ever, then leaks. Hence, replace it all. Try to keep all OEM GM.
Trans shop pressure tested trans cooling system, and flushed cooler lines, new converter, etc. 18K warranty.
 

MassHoe04

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 4, 2021
Posts
1,586
Reaction score
2,796
Location
Western MA
Good advice, however on 3rd radiator so far. Newest is 4 years. Seems radiators experiance O ring leaks at cooler lines. Various seeping issues elsewhere. For me, whether radiator or water pump or both, everything gets changed. Belts, hoses, T stat, coolant. Maybe overkill, but for the extra dollars = peace of mind. BTW, now needing 4th water pump. 60-80K or 4 years which ever, then leaks. Hence, replace it all. Try to keep all OEM GM.
Trans shop pressure tested trans cooling system, and flushed cooler lines, new converter, etc. 18K warranty.
Just FYI for future readers...

I'm all for GM part when possible. But for water pumps, I have high confidence in Gates as an alternative replacement pump. I have never had a Gates replacement fail on any vehicles I used them on after install.
Fit, function, durability. Never an issue from my own experience with them.

GM may price may be a consideration for some on tight budgets. Gates can often be found in local parts stores same or next day delivery. They are usually little less expensive than GM and should perform just fine.

For radiator, if time is not an issue, I would order GM original from Rock Auto. I got one for my 05 Jeep and it was legit GM part. Cheaper than dealer costs. If an emergency and you can't afford or wait to get a GM radiator, then do what ya gotta do. If at all possible, though, GM would be best choice for radiator. Aftermarket choices I might consider: Denso or TYC.
 
Last edited:

Rocket Man

Mark
Supporting Member
Joined
Dec 25, 2014
Posts
25,961
Reaction score
50,621
Location
Oregon
Just FYI for future readers...

I'm all for GM part when possible. But for water pumps, I have high confidence in Gates as an alternative replacement pump. I have never had a Gates replacement fail on any vehicles I used them on after install.
Fit, function, durability. Never an issue from my own experience with them.

GM may price may be a consideration for some on tight budgets. Gates can often be found in local parts stores same or next day delivery. They are usually little less expensive than GM and should perform just fine.

For radiator, if time is not an issue, I would order GM original from Rock Auto. I got one for my 05 Jeep and it was legit GM part. Cheaper than dealer costs. If an emergency and you can't afford or wait to get a GM radiator, then do what ya gotta do. If at all possible, though, GM would be best choice for radiator. Aftermarket choices I might consider: Denso or TYC.
Agreed, Gates is great stuff- water pumps, hoses, belts.
 
Top