So I was taking a closer look under the hood this evening and spotted a problem. The upper radiator hose has a slight tear on the edge. The tear goes down to the hose clamp (Jubilee clip) and turns and runs parallel to the clamp for about 1cm. I am going to order a new upper hose but I think the clip is too narrow and was over tightened. Can anyone tell me what the width of the OEM clamp is?

 

No idea of the original clamp specs.

I use our Tridon brand, and the band is 12.7mm wide (1/2" for the non metric mobs), and overtightening to stop a weep/leak, is soooo common, and with a plastic radiator is fatal.

New hoses every 5 years or so is the STANDARD service requirement in MY opinion.

 

Thanks. This one is closer to 9mm. I should have specified (but I was half asleep when I made the post) that the offending clamp is on the water neck on the block, not the radiator.

 

Drink more.

That is alloy, but the hoses do suffer wih thin clamps.

My general rule is wide clamps for larger hoses, heater and above, and thin clamps for the smaller hoses, fuel etc.