Replacing hoses?

Well, still working on the head gasket replacement on my 89 Accord. I'm
gonna be replacing a bunch of coolant hoses and was wondering what everybody
else does. I usually clean up the metal part, that the hose is going on,
with some plumber's sand paper and then use whatever is at hand. A dab of
grease .. anything to cover the corrosion and make the hose removable in the
future, without having to cut it. What is the best thing to use? I was
wondering about dielectric grease for tune-ups .... saw one guy mention
WD-40. I guess I'm wondering if anything in particular is good for the
neoprene hose or can damage it in the long run.

 

NO DI-ELECTRIC GREASE, NO WD-40! Those contain petroleum distillates, which
will wreck the rubber! And don't use silicone, either, for fear of possible
oxygen sensor contamination (no, I don't know how it could happen but why
take the chance?).

Preferably you'll put the hoses on dry. If you MUST use some kind of
lubricant, just use a smear of coolant on the hose stubs.

 

since the quantity is small, you can get away with a little grease if
the hoses are an oil resistant rubber like neoprene. but unless you're
an expert on that stuff, you won't know what the rubber type is.
otherwise, use a little smear of a water soluble lube like ky,
astroglide, etc.

fyi, to prevent future corrosion, make sure you use a quality
antifreeze, the long life stuff, and dilute it with distilled water.
tap water has a higher mineral content that accelerates corrosion.

 

And, make sure it's distilled and NOT deionized. (the water, that
is).

 

I bought a replacement hose for the heater. It's the short one that's about
four inches with about a 45 degree angle built into it. It connects the
heater control to the heater core tube coming through the firewall. I tried
using just antifreeze and no way. You said not to use petrolium products. I
found a small jar of Teflon trailer hitch grease in the garage and used a
dab of that. Worked like a charm. Didn't want to get grease on the KY
tube.

 

in this application, it won't make much difference.