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[amba]

On way home tonight got the "low coolant" warning come up on screen,but as only had short distant to get home pressed on as moving in fast traffic so didn,t think would have problems.

Temp gauge started to climb and by the time I reached the safety of my drive way temp was showing 100 and still climbing.

Switched engine off and open bonnet to be greated by steam shooting up from joint of top rad hose to the block.Where hot steam was hitting the cold air con pipework it was dripping back down and making more steam.

When things cooled down had a good look and found hose joint had split where jubilee clip had been tightened up onto hose,although it did look like it had started to perish.

Now need to find a top hose a bit sharpish in the morning so hope local Partco have 1 in stock,but question is should I refit with jubilee style hose clips or VX sprung type.

Rad end of hose was held on by VX sprung clip and hose appeared to be hardly marked but joint of hose and block where is has split was held in place with jubilee style and may have contributed to cutting into hose.Also are pattern rad hoses ok or should I really get a genuine VX part.? Just don,t want to waste fitting all back together with new coolant and then need to fit another VX genuine hose at a later date.

[PhilRich]

Definately use VX sprung fixings as they are designed to 'give' with expansion! Jubilee type clips are the 'easy' option especially for tight, awkward jobs like HBV or lower rad hose etc. but as you've found when the hose expands with the heat, there is no 'give' in the jubilee & the result is hose chaffing & inevitably early failure. BTW, it sounds like you've only just got away with it this time, you may not be so lucky next :-/! 

[amba]

Think hose had been on a limited life as had been removed several times with work on power steering pump and ABS module being replaced.

As access to top hose to block is restricted imagine previous owner fitted jubilee as easiest option,although shouldn,t really complain as had been like that for several years,just todfay must have been it,s time to let go.

I assume spring clips are readily available along with hoses as never had to buy parts at this short notice before.