Caroline S
New member
About 2 weeks ago, my car started smoking. I took it to a mechanic the day I noticed it and they didn't identify a problem, just told me to make sure it doesn't overheat. This past Saturday, I was driving and noticed my car was overheating. I got to a point where I could pull over (about a mile down the road) and stopped. A passer by identified the problem as a busted heater hose.
I am a girl and have NO idea how to work on cars, so I had to have someone who I barely know come out and repair the hose temporarily by using a garden hose (it was midnight on the Saturday before Easter... no way to get anything but that). The next day, I purchased a heater hose and repaired it myself since it seemed easy enough. I didn't know that I had to refill it with water and coolant and didn't get to do that until today (Wednesday, three days after replacing hose). After doing so, I started noticing what I've identified as coolant (bright green) in small puddles when my car has only been parked 20-60 minutes. Now that my car has been parked for about 3 hours, I see a HUGE puddle.
What could this be?
I just checked the clamps and they seem tight, but if the hose is too short, could that cause it? I'm planning on taking it to the mechanic in the morning, I just wanted insight on what the problem might be so I can prepare myself. I'm so paranoid when it comes to something that might cost me out the ass to fix and was scared it might be a blown headgasket but it doesn't seem I have any other symptoms.
And thanks, I was pretty proud of myself for it, even if I didn't do it 100% correct
Ok, so if I tightened them too tight, do I just loosen them a bit, solving the problem? Or is it somehow more complex than that?
I am a girl and have NO idea how to work on cars, so I had to have someone who I barely know come out and repair the hose temporarily by using a garden hose (it was midnight on the Saturday before Easter... no way to get anything but that). The next day, I purchased a heater hose and repaired it myself since it seemed easy enough. I didn't know that I had to refill it with water and coolant and didn't get to do that until today (Wednesday, three days after replacing hose). After doing so, I started noticing what I've identified as coolant (bright green) in small puddles when my car has only been parked 20-60 minutes. Now that my car has been parked for about 3 hours, I see a HUGE puddle.
What could this be?
I just checked the clamps and they seem tight, but if the hose is too short, could that cause it? I'm planning on taking it to the mechanic in the morning, I just wanted insight on what the problem might be so I can prepare myself. I'm so paranoid when it comes to something that might cost me out the ass to fix and was scared it might be a blown headgasket but it doesn't seem I have any other symptoms.
And thanks, I was pretty proud of myself for it, even if I didn't do it 100% correct

Ok, so if I tightened them too tight, do I just loosen them a bit, solving the problem? Or is it somehow more complex than that?