Upper Rad Hose Exploded

[Okie69]

Took the Bronco for a little shakedown run yesterday and the upper rad hose failed fantastically. I had antifreeze covering the windshield, coming out the sides of the hood, and even coming in through the rust holes in the floorboard!

The Bronco never got hot and was sitting about 175 when it blew. I immediately noticed the date code on the hose was from 1990! I guess I accidentally grabbed an old hose when I put everything together instead of the new one I know I bought!

So right now I’m assuming it’s just an old hose failing, but wanted to ask y’all if there’s anything else I should look into that could have caused an over-pressurizing.

And pics!

 

[okie4570]

32.5 year old

 

[Okie69]

32.5 year old

Stuff just doesn’t last like it used to.

 

[Geiri]

I would think that something was rubbing against the hose. The wound looks like it started on the outside.

 

[Okie69]

View attachment 886629
I would think that something was rubbing against the hose. The wound looks like it started on the outside.

I thought maybe that was the case as well, but I was able to find that missing piece of rubber and it didn’t show any signs of the fan blade hitting it.

 

[Apogee]

On the plus side, I think we can safely assume that your radiator cap is holding pressure.

 

[Okie69]

The good news is after that small mishap I made it the rest of the 45 miles there and then the 45 back. Trying to get ready for driving it to OCBR which is 334 miles one way.

Taking it to Bailie Bilt next week for the cage that’s the next test.

 

[nvrstuk]

Congrats on progress so far!!!

 

[Rustytruck]

change your radiator cap and test your thermostat while your at it. this should not have happened. unless your coolant level was low and coolant went to steam.