Heater Hose Replacement - Generic Hose

[cn90]

...Why a gutted coupler, I don't want to do that, just want to reuse the plug in fittings...

The stock system has this O-ring, that spacer, this O-ring etc. etc. And if you buy the aftermarket junk O-ring, you are in for a surprise.
Plus you are spending $ on these O-rings, spacers etc. Just search forum and you will see some with coolant leak after doing this job.
Very convoluted engineering system.

I am glad I gutted the coupler. I only use it a device to hold the hoses.
Then seal the opening with Butyl Tape or Caulking Material.
Bullet-proof system.
So far so good.

[PeteB]

I see that it is better, but I'm not looking for work to do, rather just want
to avoid a burst hose.

[cn90]

Once you remove the heater hose (from the engine ---> firewall), even if you use a brand-new Volvo hose, there is a risk of leak at the coupler, if you don't replace the O-ring, spacer etc.

Trust me, I looked into this issue before gutting the coupler.
It is MUCH SIMPLER gutting it. Very very easy mod.

[abscate]

I don't remember too many bursts of any Volvo hoses here. Seeps in Heater cores and radiators are much more common.

[cn90]

1+,

I have not heard too many people with burst heater hoses. These Volvo OEM heater hoses are very good.

However, in the link I posted above, one person songzunhuang did have burst hoses, luckily this happened near his driveway.

I think if you use the car around town, then don't worry about these hoses, fix them as they come.
However, if you travel out of town often, and if you have > 200K miles, then I guess it is a good idea to refresh them.
The generic Gates hose is so cheap anyway. If you use generic Gates hoses as I mentioned (re-use the barb fitting), the cost is minimal compared with Volvo hoses.

[polskamafia mjl]

Why a gutted coupler...

Because, as CN90 mentioned, it's a convoluted mess and simplicity is a good thing. Generic heater hoses are a more reliable method since you can then service the heater core without worrying about ruining the OEM plastic coupler and dealing with leaks. I had to run my car with my heater core bypassed for several months after my manual swap because that plastic coupler started leaking when I tried to reconnect the heater hoses.

This is not what I want to do, and that is why I didn't read it all.

From your post I'm not exactly sure what you are trying to do. I actually thought you were talking about CN90's generic heater hose replacement. So what exactly are you trying to replace and why?

[PeteB]

I am trying to just replace the rubber heater hoses under the hood.
I wrote:
In first post: "I don't want to do the coupler delete."
In 4th post: "I'm not having any issues in the car so I just wanted to change them from the firewall to engine. I seem
to remember a thread where the ends were reused and I want to read it before I try this."

I'm in the middle of doing the PCV repair and thought while I was waiting for the new oil
trap that I'd do the heater hoses. It has been in the mid 20's deg F here so I'm not looking for
major extra work to do. I found the picture of cutting the crimps, I think that answers the
question but I still have not found the thread with the details about reusing the ends and not
deleting the coupler.

I've decided not to do it at all until it is warmer out.