So I just replaced a new radiator, OEM thermostat and upper/lower radiator hoses. Topped off coolant and bleed **** like that and let the car idle till the fan came on.... now my question is... are both the upper/lower hoses supposed to be hot or upper hot lower warm?

Both of my hoses feels like the same temp.. HOT! Is this normal? I remebered before I replaced the radiator, after driving, the upper would be hot and the lower would be warm.. but now both are really hot..

Temp gauge is normal to below middle...

Car is a 97 Accord..

 

yes, that means that you car is circulating the coolant. if you lower hose was cool than your t-stat wasn't opening

 

Hey thanks for the reply! For a minute there, thought I fcuked shiet up

 

I understand that the purpose of radiator and fans is to cool the coolant that reenters into radiator, so to me the lower hose should have a somewhat lower temperature than the top one. I would say he either has a semiclosed thermostat that does not open completely or he is using a degraded coolant.

 

Dude, check the dates on stuff before bumping a 15 year old thread.

In theory yes the lower hose should be cooler. Can you feel that with your hands when everything is up to temp? No. You need tools for that. The delta might only be 10-15 degrees when fully hot.