Temporary Radiator Hose Repair w Columbia SC Auto Repair Pro

Ever been broke down on the side of the highway, radiator hose spitting and steaming?  Yeah, it isn’t much fun.  While it won’t work for too long, this emergency roadside auto repair for your radiator hose will get you back home or to an auto repair shop.  Remember, this is a temporary emergency radiator hose fix and is by no means considered an actual auto repair.

Never perform cooling system work or radiator repairs on a hot vehicle!  This could cause serious burns resulting in hospitalization. 

When the vehicle has cooled enough for a closer look at the problem, you need to find the exact location of your leak.  If it is the radiator hose, this emergency auto repair can hold long enough to get you to a safe destination.  You need to locate the hole in the radiator hose and dry it off very well.  Next, grab a roll of duct tape!  Yes, duct tape.  If you don’t have any, it is found almost anywhere.  At worst, try finding a passing driver that may have some duct tape you could use.

With the radiator hose hole area completely dried off, get a strip of duct tape approximately 3 inches long.  Place this piece right over the hole in the radiator hose.  Press firmly to seal the hole.  Now smooth the tape on each side, starting from the center and smoothing it outward.  This will become a radiator hose patch.  Now use a much longer piece of the duct tape to secure the patch.  Secure the patch by beginning around two inches above the duct tape patch.  Wrap the longer duct tape strip tightly around your radiator hose.  Continue wrapping from two inches above the tape patch to about 2 inches below.  Wrap tightly and smooth it as you go.

With the radiator hose patched and tightly wrapped, check the radiator fluid levels.  Determine if there is enough coolant to get you to your destination.  If not and you can’t get to the usual cooling system blend you use, add enough clean, clear water to bring the level up.

As I have already said, this is merely a temporary, roadside emergency radiator repair.  A proper auto repair is still necessary, but this should emergency fix should get you home or to the auto repair shop or your mechanic.  While duct tape is great for many things, it will not be strong enough to contain the leak for long.

In the greater Columbia, SC area your best choice for all auto repairs is our auto repair shop, Sanford’s Automotive Service.  Our ASE Certified Master mechanic will take care of you and have you back on the road fast.  Sanford’s Automotive Service is proud to serve the drivers of the Columbia, SC area now and since 1989.  Just take Exit 71 off I-20 to our auto repair shop at 7917 Wilson Blvd. or call us at 803-735-7902 to schedule an appointment.