So I've read a lot of the posts on this subject and based on the information I'd feel best if I could replace the hose WITH a coil inside the hose. However, I've scoured the internet and cannot find one. So the question is to those who had the same issue, what brand, size, hose and coil did you get for your XJ? And where did you get them? And how did you slide the coil inside the hose? Easy?

I have a 97 Cherokee Sport 4L.

Thanks
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I posted about this once. It's not needed. Mine don't have them. Some people do reuse the one from the old hose. Either cut it out or I think maybe just by turning and pulling then turn to push into the new hose. Lube it with something maybe? Not sure what.

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/low...-spring-22001/

Post 14

 

So do u have a recommendation for a thicker lower hose? The one I purchased doesn't seem to be reinforced, just week. I can easily squeeze it.

 

You don't need the spring. It was there in the original hose because they pulled a vacuum on the system at the factory to fill it without trapping air in it, and the spring prevented the lower hose from collapsing under vacuum. Since you're not likely to ever pull a vacuum on your system while filling it, you do not need the spring.

 

Well I picked up an upper & lower by Dayco. They do not feel any stronger or more reinforced at all. I've not hooked them up yet. I can easily squeeze them both while they are not attached and there seems to be no difference in the rigidity compared to the old ones. Am I missing something then? If they are more reinforced shouldn't it be more difficult for me to squeeze them? What brand are you all buyin? I'm not comfident in these Dayco and will probably return them and keep looking for a better, more rigid hose, especially for the lower.

 

I get mine from NAPA. Can't remember who makes them. No problems with them. Plus they're local and easy to return or exchange if there was a problem. Seems Gates makes decent hoses also.

 

You are WAY over thinking this.

Pretty much all of the molded replacement hoses (Dayco, Gates, etc.) are going to be comparable in quality. Not to mention that hundreds, if not thousands of Jeeps are running these parts store hoses and not experiencing any problems.

I've been running the Dayco hoses (from Advance Auto IIRC) for about a year without issue.

 

Agreed, don't worry. You might see "feel for soft spots" to check hoses. When "the material" really starts to degrade it can extra extra soft. Feels different than the rest of the hose....... A normal system can't have much vacuum unless the valve in the cap to the over-flow Res, or that tube is clogged. (as the system cools, it draws coolant back in through there, to the Rad) The big spring let's coolant to the Res above say 18*. Then the little check valve let's it suck it back in when it cools.

 

I'm running dayco upper and lower as well and have no issues.

 

Did you find a hose with a spring? Or did you find a spring to fit your hose?

Thanks

 

Went with a Gates upper and lower hose. Couldn't find any that include a coil.

 

The dealer hoses to this day still have a lower with a spring.

 

The spring is in the factory lower hose only to keep the hose from collapsing when they fill the cooling system. They use some sort of vacuum system to fill the cooling system. The spring is not needed anymore after that.

 

So now I think I have a bad water pump and thermostat. Who can help? Here is the latest. Went to refill the system after replacement of upper and lower hoses (Gates). Left radiator cap off, started engine, let warm up, then turned on heater, waited for jeep to get up to temperature...after waiting 15-20 minutes the fluid would not drop into the radiator, but started to back out at the cap, call it burp or vomit, but it expelled out where the cap locks down. Things I observed...no heat came thru the vents, inbound line to heater core was not hot to the touch, upper radiator hose was hot, noticed engine block began to smoke, SHUT IT DOWN! Didn't feel the lower hose at the time though may be should have...do I now need to replace thermostat and water pump? Is there more to this?

 

If anyone has a problem with the cooling system, a spring ain't gonna fix it.