Anyone know of any tricks to get those f'in things off? My fingers are raw from screwing with those "quick disconnect" things.

And once they're replaced, real hose clamps are going on.

 

OK, google said use a heater hose clip removal tool.

Can anyone direct me to one of those?

 

Harbor Freight tools has a set of two for hose clamps. They do work, I have used mine several times

 

Get good clamps and new hoses..

 

Most mfrs. call it a "hose pick".

http://www.cornwelltools.com/OnlineC...peedindex.html
http://www.matcotools.com/Catalog/to....jsp?cattype=T
http://www.snapon.com/

 

Ive used those before to loosen regular hoses...the kind designed by smart engineers using hose clamps.

I cant get the heater hoses off, the ones with the plastic clips.

I think my only option is to try to melt them or cut the clips, but theres no room to do much.

 

Holy crap - just cut em- just rubber , there no good any way...

new ones are $13

 

My concern is what lies underneath?

Do the inlet/outlet pipes from the heater core need that queer clip system, or can I just pop on a plain hose with a pair of hose clamps and be done with it?

 

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The heater hoses on my 99 f-150 look they have some sort of crimped fitting. Is this the clamp and if so how do you get it off? I'm desperate--had a major blow out and repaired with new piece of hose and coupler--don't really trust this fix. Also removed brass piece from old piece--looks some sort of reducer--does this matter?

 

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The brass restrictor is important - it reduces the pressure inside the heater core during cold starts, which keeps them from blowing out. Put it back.

 

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I recently replaced the factory installed heater hoses on my sons 98 F150 4.6. I actually laid across the front end and squeezed the clips with my fingers & a quick push/pull & they released from the core. You will need to drain the radiator & place some rags under the core fittings to catch the drips. The thing that was frustrating for me was the fact ford placed the hose "spring clamp" aft on the lower/shorter elbow tube (under the manifold) & it was a major pain nudging/pulling it forward enough to get a pair of pliers on it to squeeze & remove. The other elbow tube (under the manifold) closest forward, had a "hose clamp" that had the nut head facing aft & I had to get a short 8 M box end on it to losen it ever soooo slowly. I would also like to note this hose clamp was found to be loose & the green stuff had been slowly leaking on the # 4 & causing repeated misfires. I picked up the new hoses at O'reilly's & 4 new hose clamps & put it all back together with no further problems. No restrictor fittings were involved in the R & R effort.

 

damn... i think i'll replace mine when i swap the motor so i dont have to **** myself off like that.