JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

I went into a place of business (a.k.a. a store) and upon coming out, I noticed my poor girl had peed herself. Looking under the hood, I found the radiator hose on the right side had separated from a T connection. The bizarre thing is that I don't know why. What would cause the hose to come off the T when there is permanent clamp in place?

The part is a single part number (A2315015282) for the three hoses, three clamps, and one T. It retails for $114 from the dealer. Quite ingenious when you consider the logistics of having to carry seven parts and six part numbers for that single assembly. I did order the part from the dealer, but in the meanwhile am using a super duper hose clamp to reattach the hose.


Oops! Diaper time.

Separated radiator hose.

"Permanent" clamp.

Hose part number.

ThatsMyDawg

Sorry to hear that, but I really thought you we're going to say someone stole your car!

I am glad you caught it while it was parked rather than going down the highway. The same thing happened to me on my old E350 several years ago. My car was sitting at the gas station as I was speaking with my wife. She had just pulled up. A few minutes later poof it popped off. Ordered the parts from Amazon and fixed it the next day.

Hang in there and keep us updated...

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

Thanks. One thing it taught me was to keep a little tool set, spare hose clamps, some large cable ties, and emergency fusion tape in the trunk. Fortunately, I had some Zerex G40 coolant at home which the wife graciously brought to me.

NOTE: I did not use the cable ties or fusion tape, but think they are a good idea just in case. Good quality and large enough cable ties can be good temporary hose clamps.


Multi-functional stubby tool set

Upgraded SmartSeal hose clamp

14" cable ties should be long enough

Self-fusing emergency tape

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

Got the new hose in and replaced the old one. The old one was in like-new condition other than the top hose slipping off. Still, there was no deterioration of any of the parts. The parts guy said maybe for some reason coolant got between the T connector and the hose, lubricating it and allowing it to slip off. I don't know how common this is, but in retrospect I could have saved about $110 and just replaced those "permanent" clamps with regular hose clamps. I'm holding onto the old hose (only 45k miles) though I will probably never need it again. But, you see, I have a problem letting go of things. It is literally in my DNA according to 23andMe.

I do recommend everyone check their hose. I avoided disaster because the car was parked and not running, but things could been a lot worse.