1988 Fiero 2.5 liter w/AC - Need Radiator Cooling Hoses (Page 1/2)
enicho1 FEB 12, 01:40 AM
Need help.
I have a 1988 with the 2.5 liter with factory air conditioning.
It has 19k original miles and I am the second owner.
Still has the original tires on it.

Anyway, I want to change all the hoses, and having an impossible time finding the hoses in the back engine compartment.
I bought several hoses from older years thinking that something would fit.
Nope!

I need the following:
Thermostat housing to pipe on drivers side.
Water pump to pipe on passenger side.
Heater hose on the passenger side (rear) that “Tee’s” off the same pipe as the water pump hose…. I think this is the heater return hose.
This heater hose has like a high pressure type compression fitting to the steel heater pipe, but has a hose clamp on the side that connects to the radiator pipe on passenger side.

Also need that heater hose that connects to the underside of the intake manifold area…. It has a threaded type fitting on the intake side, but has a compression type fitting on the other end.
I initially thought this was a fuel line, but nope … it’s a heater hose.

I never would have thought 1988 coolant hoses would be non-existent, when you can seem to get hoses for a 1984 model?

Any help would be very appreciated
I was looking at Flex stainless steel, but these are super expensive.
What has other people done for 1988 4cyl 2.5l w/AC coolant hoses?

theogre FEB 12, 12:58 PM
Likely have to get "universal" hoses and maybe more to fit some coolant hoses.

You can find strait bendy/flex hose at many local stores. Some have or can order flex hose w/ 90° form bend at 1 end.

Flex hose may need extra support to bend around and fit whatever space w/o rubbing other things.

You need to replace the tires even if "looked" ok to you.
Tires can "rot" inside out from shop and other compressed air carrying water oil and worse when inflated them.

------------------
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

enicho1 FEB 12, 04:19 PM
Thank you.
I appreciate the response. I was leaning on getting the universal flex type, but wanted to check to make sure.
I’m definitely going to replace the tires too.
This is definitely a little time capsule that is like a brand new car.
It’s just that time has dictated all the little things get replaced.
Thanks again
enicho1 FEB 12, 05:00 PM
Are these coolant hoses …
water pump to pipe
Thermostat housing to pipe
Radiator upper to pipe
Radiator lower to pipe

Are these hoses 1.25” or 1.5” inner diameter?
enicho1 FEB 19, 04:35 PM
I was able to get the molded hoses for the front radiator (upper radiator to pipe and lower radiator to pipe).

However, the molded hoses for the engine are no longer available.
I pulled the T-stat to pipe and water pump to pipe out and took them to the auto parts store to try and get a close match to something they had hanging in the back room.

Gates Molded Hoses matching up the auto parts store hoses…
T-stat housing to pipe
Gates number 22043
However, it is Approximately 1/4” little bit to Big inner diameter.
It is ALMOST an EXACT match to the factory hose… almost.
It fits nicely, but the inner diameter is juuust a little too big.

Gates molded hose for water pump from matching at auto parts store…
Water pump to pipe
Gates number 23294
Fits snug around things… meaning clearances
Clears the A/C pulley but not a lot.

On the T-stat housing hose…
I’m on the fence and not too much experience on clamps, or doubling clamps on a hose that’s inner diameter about 1/4” too big…fits easily… sort of loose.

Do I just double clamp???

The water pump to pipe…
On the fence … pressurized it should still clear the A/C compressor pulley and belt, but I’m just not warm and fuzzy about it.

So, I got the following Gates Universal Flex hoses.

T-stat housing to pipe on drivers side
Universal Flex Gates 25265

Water pump to pipe on passenger side
Universal Flex Gates 25262

I installed these universal flex gates hoses.
I’m keeping the other auto parts store “close matches” in case I’m in a bind and need to get back on the road… emergency garage (or trunk) stock

Wanted to share this as so far there have been little quirks on this 1988 Fiero 2.5l year vs my experience owning a 1984 Fiero 2.5


I also bought GM Service manuals (nice new reprints 2 volumes) for the 1988 Fiero
Also still have my original Haynes manual I bought back in 1989

Now I need help on the factory heater hoses..
They have factory crimped ends like a hydraulic pressure hose.
The hose under the passenger side heater pipe to the coolant pipe.
One side is a crimped compression type end, the other end into the coolant tube has a hose clamp.

Then the heater hose that goes under the intake manifold with a Quick connect (I think) and the other end has that pressure crimp fitting to the little tube (heater tube).
enicho1 FEB 19, 04:51 PM
Need advice.
Should I cut the heater hoses off ?

The short hoses that go from the heater tube (mechanical crimp) to the coolant tube (passenger side has hose clamp.

And that other heater hose that goes from engine compartment tube (mechanical crimp) to that quick connect under the intake.

Nothing is wrong with them

I’m just trying to do preventative maintenance.
The car has 19k original miles and I am the second owner.

I replaced the coolant hoses as described in my above posts.

They are just physically old.

Seems like a can of worms sort of.
I would have replaced them if they were all hose clamps, but…
Once I cut the mechanical crimp fittings, I’m at the point of no return.

Don’t want to create a disaster for myself unless it’s necessary.


Before I fill the system back up with antifreeze
Do I just go ahead with it, or wait for them to blow ( eventually or maybe never)

Mike in Sydney FEB 19, 05:11 PM

quote
Originally posted by theogre:

Likely have to get "universal" hoses and maybe more to fit some coolant hoses.

You can find strait bendy/flex hose at many local stores. Some have or can order flex hose w/ 90° form bend at 1 end.

Flex hose may need extra support to bend around and fit whatever space w/o rubbing other things.





Bendy/flex/universal hoses can put restrictions in the system that lead to overheating. Before you go the bendy/flex/universal hose route, try to get the original hoses off on one piece. (You may have to cut the hose at the spigot to remove it.) Then, take the hose to the auto parts store and try to match up the bends in the hose with something in the store. You may have to cut off the ends but you should be able to find something close.

I did this when I brought my GT to Australia. Australian Customs Inspectors decided that the under car cleaning that I gave the car before putting it in the container was not sufficient. Their contractor (Customs Agents don't do the actual work nor will they let you do it) put the car on a 2-post lift and proceeded to high pressure wash the underside. In the process, they actually cut through the formed hose connecting the left-side SS pipe to the engine. Trying to use a flex hose to repair it was causing the car to overheat. An hour in the local AutoBarn parts store resulted in a hose for a GM Holden Commodore with the correct bends in the middle of the hose. A razor-knife and two jubilee (screw-type) band clamps and the problem was solved.

(edited for spelling and grammar)

[This message has been edited by Mike in Sydney (edited 02-19-2023).]

enicho1 FEB 19, 05:24 PM
The GM Holden
You mean that same Pontiac GTO from I think 2004-ish?

Do you by chance have the hoses part number or maybe know what year Holden the hoses fit?

Thank you
I appreciate the help
Mike in Sydney FEB 19, 07:30 PM
Same manufacturer, different car.

Sorry I don't have the part number. I do remember is was for an older Commodore 6-cylinder. I don't know if it was a V-6 or a straight 6.
Raydar FEB 20, 07:50 PM
I would squeeze the hoses to make sure they are not soft anywhere. Pay particular attention to the ends, and anywhere they may have rubbed.
For some reason, hoses seem to be "sturdier" than they used to.

The hose that "Ts" into the coolant pipe on the passenger side...
If you want, just cut through the crimp, peel it off, and remove and replace the hose. Under the crimp, the pipe has a "lip" like any other hose nipple. Just clamp both ends.

Sorry. Can't help with the sourcing of the rear hoses. Rodney Dickman has (had?) most of the others.