What is the correct way to release this type of clamp”
7

 

wish I was competent enough to post a a video (will try tomorrow) as a picture is worth a thousand words.

i just use a very small slip joint pliers (channel lock) and gently squeeze together the two “humps” that are farthest apart until the “hook” is away from its catch. Then I position a tiny flat blade screwdriver against the catch and release the pliers. The screwdriver keeps the hook from going back where it locks in the clamp and it slides above the catch, releasing the clamping,

to reassemble, just squeeze together the two humps until the hook rides over its catch and slides down into the lock position.

There’s going to be better and more concise explanations (I hope).

Z

 

I use these clic clamp pliers - https://amzn.eu/d/2C01SSJ

Makes for easy removal with no need to risk bending anything. They've worked well for me so far.

 

That's right, those are the pliers you need. But don't reuse the clamps; they won't hold as well. I've been replacing them with flexible clamps. Since the pipe is probably deformed, it's best to replace it with a new one (there are silicone pipes that you can cut to size).

 

zrays explanation is what I do also.

Tightening the Norma Cobra clamp after replacing the thermostat housing.. (Yes - I used the OEM plastic)




HTH, Dave

 

There are a few more pics of that clamp here showing it open and closed. Z's description is what I did too.

 

similar item for USA Amazon:

https://a.co/d/fYM08g7

one day I won’t be so cheap and willl purchase these correct tools.

Z

 

Maybe I’m just lucky, but I’ve never had my re-used Click-R type clamps leak. I’m not understanding the physics behind them not holding as well when re-used.

Z

PS / Physics not my best subject

 

Same here - reused without issue.

-Dave

 

I always reuse too.

 

Yes, the click clamps (due to their curve) are elastic and reusable. They are very easy to remove and install with the pliers shown (the pliers have one side for opening and another for closing, so using them is highly recommended). However, when you apply force to open or close the clamp, it stretches a little more (the tube shrinks, being "soft," when the clamp is removed and replaced, and "recovers" when it's clamped). I had bad luck, and the small tube shown leaked coolant: the solution was a new tube and a traditional elastic clamp.

 

With all due respect, I am skeptical that the extremely small amount of force used when removing the metal clamp will cause it to stretch.

i don’t doubt you’re had leaking when reusing the clamp. But I doubt the conclusion that you’ve arrived at that the clamp has stretched is accurate.

There are other variables that were more likely the cause of your leaking .

Z

 

Considering the critical nature of those hose clamps I gotta think that if they were the least bit susceptible to reuse failure then they would be specified as “always replace” by Jaguar in their service instructions. I don’t think that is the case here.

 

You're right. After this incident (I'd already removed the click clamps at least twice), a crack opened up in the bottom of the expansion tank. So it's also possible the plastic was deteriorated or aged, and consequently, the inlet tube to the expansion tank was deformed. I'll stick with my spring clamps (I don't like that when tightening and especially loosening them, the hose gets compressed, and therefore the plastic tube underneath).

By the way, does anyone know if there are any expansion tanks made of aluminum? I've seen some that could be adapted, but the pressure rating on the cap doesn't match. For my S-Type, after replacing four expansion tanks, I've already bought an aluminum one.