[2009 Outback]

All the old timers here know a roadside repair can be made.
Nowadays there is silicon rescue tape that is self sealing. Better for this kind of repair than duct tape (there, I said it).
But you have to put some kind of clamping device over it too. Old skool was bailing wire. I keep a couple of different size clamps and zip ties in the road trip tool kit.
Remember the cooling system pressurizes a few psi when the engine warms up. That is the challenge to patching a hose.

Not sure what it is nowadays, but in the old days (1970's and 80's), most cooling systems pressurized to 16 PSI. The idea is that water under pressure has a higher boiling point, so it won't boil inside the cooling system.

 

[JimBlake]

OMG, now I feel old!

LOL - the books my dad (not grandfather) had were older than the 1960s...

And the pressure will be printed or stamped on the radiator cap - probably 15 or 16 psi. (1.1 bar)

 

[dmac3]

I once had to use electricians tape to repair a leaking radiator hose. After spewing coolant on the freeway, I stopped and saw the big bubble on the top of the hose had finally popped (torn, through). I had to wait for it to cool a bit and the electricians tape simply did not want to stick to the coolant covered hose, or itself after I was handling it. I did get it wrapped around rather tightly and somewhat stuck, dumped some stream water from a drainage ditch nearby and left the radiator cap loose to make it the 45 miles or so to home where I replaced the hose and coolant. That would have been the early seventies.

 

[2009 Outback]

I once had to use electricians tape to repair a leaking radiator hose. After spewing coolant on the freeway, I stopped and saw the big bubble on the top of the hose had finally popped (torn, through). I had to wait for it to cool a bit and the electricians tape simply did not want to stick to the coolant covered hose, or itself after I was handling it. I did get it wrapped around rather tightly and somewhat stuck, dumped some stream water from a drainage ditch nearby and left the radiator cap loose to make it the 45 miles or so to home where I replaced the hose and coolant. That would have been the early seventies.

Wow, I didn't realize you could run without pressurization in the cooling system without boiling over and losing most of what's in there. Besides, then wouldn't you have air pockets and thereby no cooling?

 

[2009 Outback]

LOL - the books my dad (not grandfather) had were older than the 1960s...

Same here!

 

[JimBlake]

Getting home (gently) without pressurization is one thing. That's not the same thing as seeing how fast you can pull a trailer up a mountain.

I had to limp home without a waterpump once. 5 miles, shut off to cooldown, another 5 miles & then I was home.

 

[z28dug]

LOL - the books my dad (not grandfather) had were older than the 1960s...

And the pressure will be printed or stamped on the radiator cap - probably 15 or 16 psi. (1.1 bar)

My grandfather's were older as well. Books from the 60's were mine.

 

[Red Suburu]

This! Back in the day I've gotten out of a pinch several times buy using tape or a piece of rubber and several hose clamps. 3 is ideal as you want 1 directly over the hole and 1 on either side as close together as you can get them.

All the old timers here know a roadside repair can be made.
Nowadays there is silicon rescue tape that is self sealing. Better for this kind of repair than duct tape (there, I said it).
But you have to put some kind of clamping device over it too. Old skool was bailing wire. I keep a couple of different size clamps and zip ties in the road trip tool kit.
Remember the cooling system pressurizes a few psi when the engine warms up. That is the challenge to patching a hose.

 

[555ubaru]

Responses here got you covered on the hose replacement. When re-filling with coolant, make sure to use a funnel that attaches to the radiator or coolant fill cap (24680 Spill-Free Funnel). Attach and fill the funnel and then run the engine until the temp gauge is at normal operating position and you are convinced that the thermostat has opened. Run it with the funnel in place for a few more minutes following thermo full open. This gets all of the air out of the system and prevents several issues that can cripple the EJ engine.

 

[Jlrsn41]

The coolant will still leak past any tape. Especially after heat and pressure build up.

You could probably use a bicycle it tire tube patch if you're in a pinch.

Is it close enough to either the engine pipe or radiator that trimming it some would help get you by for a bit?

I've been in that situation before! If you have a section of pipe that would fit inside the hose I'd cut the hose and fit the cut hose ends over the pipe and use screw clamps to secure the hose ends to the pipe. And I'd buy a new hose ASAP and replace it. Good luck

 

[Brian10956]

In a pinch I’ve used flat tire plugs. But I was able to replace hose a day or 2 later.

 

[zorecati]

Darwin says you can.

 

[ArF193]

Anything on the outside of the hose will be attacked by the inside pressure. A patch on the inside will be pushed against the hole by the pressure of the coolant; You don't get something for nothing here because you should always worry the patch will come loose and block an important cooling area/flow. Since this is not an emergency repair it should be repaired the correct way. If you can't afford to do it correctly then you surely can not afford to patch it in a risky way.

 

[ArF193]

In a pinch I’ve used flat tire plugs. But I was able to replace hose a day or 2 later.

and leave the radiator cap loose to reduce the pressure.

 

[gearhead4]

Let's see... A new radiator hose costs , what, $25?
When your engine overheats from a leaking radiator hose, the repair costs $$$$.

 

[johnre]

Everyone - OP said he was going to buy a new radiator hose, and actually apologized to us for asking the question and thanked us for the advice. Most all of us were 16 at one time. Let's get off off of his case!

 

[Sharieg]

If it's long enough, cut off the end just at or past the hole and reclamp it

Hey guys, so I removed my engine to do a clutch job and some other things. Now that I'm bleeding the cooling system, there is a very small leak in the top radiator hose. Would it be okay to patch this hose somehow (the two radiator hoses are in very good condition otherwise). Maybe wrap electrical tape or duct tape around it?

 

[z28dug]

Everyone - OP said he was going to buy a new radiator hose, and actually apologized to us for asking the question and thanked us for the advice. Most all of us were 16 at one time. Let's get off off of his case!

It is amusing to read how some think it a good idea to try and salvage a failed hose....wonder if they do the same thing with condoms.

 

[Brucey]

Everyone - OP said he was going to buy a new radiator hose, and actually apologized to us for asking the question and thanked us for the advice. Most all of us were 16 at one time. Let's get off off of his case!

I haven't even made it to 16 yet!

I turn 15 on November 20th.

 

[szeichdog]

Any auto supply store will have a repair kit for the radiator hose. But if it’s the upper hose it is relatively easy to replace.