Radiator Hose - Upper

This procedure covers removal and replacement of the upper radiator hose on a 2014-2018 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 with the 5.3L V8 EcoTec3 L83 engine, including coolant drain and refill.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Upper radiator hose × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Hose clamps (if reusing originals is not possible) × 2 — Worm-gear type 1.5-2 inch

Fluids

• ACDelco DEX-COOL (Orange) — 2 qt

Preparation

1. Ensure engine is completely cold (at least 2 hours since last operation)
2. Park vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake
3. Place drain pan beneath radiator drain petcock on driver side of radiator
4. Remove engine cover by lifting upward on rear edge then pulling forward to release front clips

Procedure

1. 1

   Drain coolant from radiator
   Locate the drain petcock on the driver side lower corner of the radiator. Slowly turn the petcock counterclockwise to open. Allow coolant to drain into the drain pan until flow stops. Close the petcock by turning clockwise and tightening hand-tight only.
   Torque spec

   Drain Petcock8 Nm (6 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Release upper hose clamp at radiator
   Locate the upper radiator hose connection at the radiator inlet on the passenger side. The factory clamp is a constant-tension spring clamp. Using hose clamp pliers or a flat blade screwdriver, compress or pry the clamp tabs and slide the clamp back onto the hose at least 2 inches away from the radiator neck.
3. 3

   Disconnect hose from radiator
   Twist the upper radiator hose back and forth while pulling away from the radiator neck to break the seal. Pull the hose straight off the radiator inlet. Expect residual coolant to drain from the hose.
4. 4

   Release upper hose clamp at thermostat housing
   Follow the upper radiator hose to the thermostat housing on the driver side front of the engine. Using hose clamp pliers or flat blade screwdriver, release the clamp and slide it back onto the hose away from the thermostat housing connection.
5. 5

   Remove hose from thermostat housing
   Twist the hose back and forth while pulling to separate it from the thermostat housing outlet. Remove the upper radiator hose from the vehicle. Inspect both connection points (radiator neck and thermostat housing) for cracks, damage, or corrosion.
6. 6

   Prepare new upper radiator hose
   Compare the new hose to the old hose to verify correct replacement part. If reusing factory constant-tension clamps, transfer them to the new hose. If using new worm-gear clamps, position one clamp on each end of the new hose with the screw accessible for tightening.
7. 7

   Install hose onto thermostat housing
   Push the engine-side end of the new upper radiator hose onto the thermostat housing outlet firmly until it bottoms out against the housing shoulder. Slide the hose clamp into position 1/4 inch from the end of the hose, centered over the thermostat housing connection.
8. 8

   Tighten thermostat housing clamp
   If using worm-gear clamps, tighten the clamp to specification using a torque wrench. If using factory constant-tension clamps, ensure the clamp is fully seated in the groove on the thermostat housing neck.
   Torque spec

   Hose Clamps3 Nm (2 lb-ft)
9. 9

   Install hose onto radiator
   Route the hose to the radiator inlet ensuring it follows the factory path without kinks or sharp bends. Push the radiator-side end of the hose onto the radiator inlet neck firmly until it bottoms out. Slide the clamp into position 1/4 inch from the end of the hose.
10. 10

    Tighten radiator clamp
    If using worm-gear clamps, tighten the clamp to specification using a torque wrench. If using factory constant-tension clamps, ensure the clamp is fully seated in the groove on the radiator neck. Verify the hose is properly seated at both ends.
    Torque spec

    Hose Clamps3 Nm (2 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Refill cooling system
    Fill the radiator through the radiator cap opening with a 50/50 mixture of DEX-COOL orange coolant and distilled water until the coolant level reaches the bottom of the radiator neck. Fill the coolant recovery reservoir to the COLD FILL mark. Install the radiator cap.
12. 12

    Bleed cooling system
    Start the engine and allow it to idle with the heater on maximum temperature. Watch the temperature gauge and monitor for normal operating temperature (approximately 195°F). Run the engine for 10 minutes, then shut off and allow to cool for 30 minutes. Recheck coolant level in both radiator and reservoir, adding coolant as needed to bring to proper level.

Reassembly

1. Reinstall engine cover by aligning front clips first, then pressing down on rear tabs until they click into place
2. Inspect all hose connections for signs of leakage after engine has reached operating temperature
3. Recheck coolant level after first drive cycle and top off if necessary

Verification

• With engine at operating temperature, verify no coolant leaks are present at either hose connection point
• Confirm heater produces hot air at idle, indicating proper coolant circulation
• Check that coolant reservoir level is between MIN and MAX marks when engine is cold
• Verify temperature gauge reads normal operating temperature and does not overheat during test drive
• Inspect ground beneath vehicle after overnight parking to confirm no coolant drips

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