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Removing Heater Hose at Firewall - Lumina APV

Howdy all... need a little help here in removing the heater hoses from the rear firewall. I need to replace the heater core.

1995 Chevy Lumina APV 3.1 engine

Hoses on the firewall have the broad type spring clamps (not the wire ones). The clamps are facing downward and tangled with each other.

I can't get at them from the front of the vehicle, clamp pliers won't work, I have a cable type clamp remover, but again the clearance and position of clamp arms makes this ineffective. Tried a 12" long nose pliers but can't get at them that way either.

Jacked the car up... can't access them from underneath.

What am I missing here.... is there another type of removal tool required for this type of situation??? Is there access from inside the car ???

This is a damn stupid way of installing heater hoses....

Your suggestions are appreciated !!

Thanks in advance !!

Peter

Reply to
peter
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Welcome to Auto Mechanics 101

Yep, you need to get in there with something like a small set of needle nose vice grips. Get a grip on a tab and turn the clamp. If you look at the clamp you will find that you can twist the tabs IN and spring them enough to twist them. Then remove them.

Or buy one of the remote jaw styles of clamp plier.

Not unless you cut out the firewall!

Not when those hoses are installed. The engines are not in the way, of course the entire front end is also missing but why quibble about that!

It's how they assemble most of the autos out there.

Reply to
Steve W.

Ach....tried to turn the tab inward, hoping to get enough clearance to slide the hose off. The clamp loosened barely enough to cause it to travel where it's very difficult to reach. Good idea.. but just lacks a lot of clearance and space to move.

Thanks for suggesting it... It'll come in handy for future jobs.

Okay... so..... I'm out of options on how to do this with finesse.....

Thinking of cutting the heater hose off right at the pipe and seeing if I can get access without the hose in the way.... plan #2 is to slice the hose and see if I can wiggle it out from under the clamp.

Heater core is leaking and will be replaced so no need to worry about damaging the tubes. Heater hoses will be replaced so it doesn't matter if I cut those.

Any other suggestions are appreciated.... how would you get past something like this ???

Just for laughs, chuckles and grins, I loosened the bottom hose at the engine bypass pipe.... ran the engine... no leakage. That plastic quick disconnect coupling is frozen on there solid. (car is 15 years old, 112K miles)...... wow do parts fuse together after that many years.

Thanks again for your help !!

Peter

Reply to
peter

Just a general idea, but I'd cut the hoses off as close to the fitting as I can, and then generally I can get at the poorly installed clamps. I have once or twice had to use a dremel and cut the clamps.

Reply to
PeterD

Good idea.... especially the part about using the Dremel to cut the clamps.... I have a pretty good Dremel and a bunch of cut off wheels.

Thanks again for your suggestions.... darn I never even thought about getting a dremel in there..... truly a professional tip !!!

Wow !!! Nice hint !!!

Peter

Reply to
peter

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