Today I had a hose burst on my 88 coupe that I had recently got back on the road. This evening, I took off the hose, and examined both ends. Notice first the end where the break was...

See how the hose looks "puffy" near where it was attached? Now look at the other end...

This end is not "puffy". So check all of your hoses. If you notice one "puffy" anywhere, replace it. Since some Fiero hoses are no longer available, you may have to make up one out of shorter sections joined to short pipe sections. That's what I'm going to have to do.

I had something similar happen, I was removing my engine/cradle to do some work when I get to the drivers side coolant line that runs up to the radiator. The first turn I make with a screwdriver on the hose clamp causes the metal pipe to crack and coolant starts squirting out. I couldn't believe how easily this cracked and am very glad/fortunate it happened in the safety of my garage and not while out driving!

edit: I'll be sure to check my coolant lines before I get the car back on the road again!

[This message has been edited by Jfrost (edited 08-10-2011).]

heheh... my upper hose looks worse than yours does, has for 6 months now. infact all the engine side coolant hoses look really really bad... im just hoping they can hold up for a few more months.

Not to mention that looks like an OE hose as well. I've read on here that some aftermarket brands (non Gates) are crap but personally I'd rather have all brand new “crappy brand” hoses on my car than the original 23+ year old OE hoses. I replaced all 5 on mine at the same time this spring. One less thing to worry about.

Check the fuel hoses as well.
I lost an Indy to a rotten fuel hose.

I don't think I mentioned it, but the hose that broke was the one that goes from the thermostat housing to the driver's side coolant tube (duke engine). Nobody makes that hose anymore (unique to 88 models), but I found something to replace it. I got a corrugated metal radiator hose kit at Pep Boys. It was a 30 inch kit, and it was just long enough to do the job. I drove to work this morning with that setup, and so far, no leaks. The only thing is, I had to make such a sharp bend where the hose attaches to the thermostat housing that I couldn't use the fancy chrome thing that covers the short rubber coupling hose and clamps. But it still looks good.

Hoses? Check your Grounds too!

Weak ground(s) then the car ground thru coolant system. Coolant is a good electric conductor and voltage in coolant eats hoses from inside while outside looks good, even looks new.

------------------
Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave (It's also at the top and bottom of every forum page...)

In this particular case, I had just rebuilt the engine and put it back in the car. All grounds were fastened with new, clean hardware which was tightened well.

That should fix it in future...

Weak grounds will eat hoses oven time. How fast? Usually 1 year or more to total wreck hoses. All depend how weak the ground are and how many (milli)amps the coolant needs to makeup in grounding. More current then the faster to eat hoses and even eats engine, radiator, etc.

Also Damage to system is cumulative and permanent... Is no rewind on this.

Obvious Damage shows up by puffing out hoses near/at connecting like Tstat Housing, WP, and other metal-rubber fitting. Damage like you shown above.

If you only replace 1 hoses, check/replace all hoses to engine at least. (Including heater to intake manifold.)

This problem can cause battery relocation folk with using ground to frame and not 2 big cables directly to block and starter. Relocate battery is ok but needs a battery-block cable or if ground get weak connection anywhere then coolant system sees grounding amp and will loose hoses.

To test coolant system...
See
Electrolysis and Grounding 101
Testing for Cooling System Electrolysis at CompleteRadiators.com.
More? Google search:
coolant system electrolysis
coolant hose electrolysis

[This message has been edited by theogre (edited 08-13-2011).]