Stop using zip ties on your radiator hoses, seriously

I keep seeing photos in here of people using zip ties to patch a split radiator hose after the first fix failed. Ngl, I tried it myself last August on my 2003 Civic after the clamp broke on a Sunday. It lasted maybe 20 miles before the pressure blew the zip tie right off and I dumped all my coolant on I-75 near Chattanooga. The tow cost me $180 and an entire Sunday afternoon wasted. Get a proper hose clamp or at least keep a roll of Rescue Tape in your trunk, it actually holds for a real temp fix while you drive to the parts store. Has anyone else gotten burned trying the zip tie shortcut?

2 comments

2 Comments

brian_coleman20h ago

My buddy Kevin tried this on his 1998 Jeep Cherokee after the clamp rusted through. He wrapped three zip ties around the split and thought he was good to go. Made it about eight miles before one snapped and the others let go instantly. Coolant sprayed all over his alternator and killed it too. Cost him a new alternator plus a tow truck ride home on a Monday night. He still gets mad if you bring it up at cookouts.

quinn5824d ago

Zip ties on radiator hoses are just asking for trouble man. Had a buddy who did the same thing on his old Ford Ranger and it popped off right as he got on the highway. A whole mess of steam and coolant everywhere. What actually saved me once was using a piece of rubber from an old inner tube and wrapping it tight with duct tape. That patch held for like 40 minutes until I got to the parts store, no joke. Rescue Tape is way better than zip ties too, I keep a roll under my seat for exactly this reason. Just get a proper clamp if you can, its worth the two bucks to not end up stranded.

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