The bottom radiator hose is leaking coolant. Will I need to jack up the car and take off the fans to do this?

Also, since the lower radiator hose is coolant returning to the engine after passing through the radiator, would a coolant loss affect performance? Car doesn't overheat that much because I refill it every day and run the heater.

 

Yes and no. Have you ever been under your car?

 

I have not. I've barely started getting into DIY type of stuff with my car. I'd rather not have to pay the mechanic to do such a simple job.

I will have to buy a jack & jack stands eventually but I thought maybe I could get away without them for this type of job.

 

You could fix the lower radiator hose from the top unless the hose clamp is in an awkward position. Or you could remove the radiator and fan assembly and fix things while it is out of the car.

 

This. Either way you're going to lose all of your coolant. Get a new hose and new antifreeze. You can either disconnect the top hose and pull the radiator up and out to get to the bottom hose. Or jack the car up and disconnect the bottom hose and the clamp is usually in an awkward position. Good time to change the thermostat if it hasnt been done in a while.

 

What vehicle??

 

If you're not "slammed" it's not hard at all a little awkward maybe but completly do-able.

 

radiator drain plug tho.

 

I say yes. You might get dirty. If your car is lowered you might have trouble getting a catch can under there. I used a jack to get the catch can under. Then lowered the car because I don't trust my jack

 

Easy to do. Put pan on bottom and take claps off. Can be done from top of the car.