hey everyone, my 96 Accord v6 has just busted a radiator hose. its splitting into two peices and making smoke come out from the hood. would i only have to replace the hose? or will other things need to be replaced to? and is there a step by step diy guide?
thanks in advance

 

replace the thermostat also! good insurance policy, any time you over heat a car you should replace it. make sure you use an o.e. t-stat

 

Typically if your top hose is gone/going it's a smart idea to replace other hoses involved with the cooling system (only 2-3 total hoses) along with your thermostat.

refer to your repair manual (chiltons, haynes, helms etc) for further information with step by step pictures and instructions.

 

replacing the hose is straight forward, just make sure you have all the cramps tighten down at the exact spot when you lossen it, there's no trick involved.
i don't see a need for a new stat, unless you see weird cooling related problem afterware but if you are swear by it, by all means go do it at once.

you'll need to refill the system and bleed all the air bubble out after all the hardware are installed, make sure you do that or you'll run in to surging later on.

 

alright..so today i just replaced the cracked hose. but the car temperature meter goes all the way to red. but there is no smoke coming from the engine (which was happening before i replaced the hose). so what could the problem be? and im pretty sure i refilled the antifreeze correctly and sufficiently.
thanks

 

You have to bleed the cooling system, there are probably air bubbles trapped in the cooling system.

There should be a bleeder nut on the bottom radiator hose or you can do it the ghetto way. Make sure the car is cold and remove the radiator cap and start the car and adding coolant as needed and watch the bubbles rise in the radiator.

The other way using the bleeder cap is a lot like bleeding your brakes open it up and let the coolant system heat up and whiola your heating/cooling system should work like a charm.