🔧 Telluride - Radiator Hose Replacement

Replacing a radiator hose means removing the leaking/soft hose, installing the correct new hose, and then refilling and bleeding the cooling system so it won’t overheat. On your Telluride, the “upper” radiator hose is usually the easiest (top of radiator to engine), while the “lower” hose can require access from underneath.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.0-2.5 hours

---

⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• Never open the coolant cap when the engine is hot; coolant can spray and burn you.
• Work on level ground and use jack stands if you go underneath.
• Keep coolant away from kids/pets; it’s toxic.
• Let the engine cool fully before removing any hose clamps.
• Battery disconnect is not required for this job.

---

🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (at least 3-gallon)
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Trim clip removal tool
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Hose clamp pliers (specialty)
• Pick tool (small hook) (specialty)
• Shop rags
• Funnel
• Distilled water (for topping off/mix)

---

🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Upper radiator hose - Qty: 1
• Lower radiator hose - Qty: 1
• Radiator hose clamps - Qty: 2-4
• Engine coolant (Hyundai/Kia long-life coolant compatible with Telluride) - Qty: 1-2 gallons

---

📋 Before You Begin

• Confirm which hose you’re replacing: upper (top) or lower (bottom). If you tell me which one, I’ll tailor the access steps.
• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and chock the rear wheels.
• Let the engine cool completely (ideally 2+ hours).
• Set the cabin heat to HOT later during bleeding (this helps purge air).

---

🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Identify the hose and clamp type

• Open the hood and locate the hose: upper hose runs from the top of the radiator to the engine; lower hose runs from the bottom of the radiator down to the engine area.
• Check the clamps: many are spring-style. Use hose clamp pliers (specialty) (pliers designed to squeeze spring clamps safely) to compress them.

Step 2: Relieve pressure safely

• Place shop rags around the coolant reservoir/radiator cap area.
• Slowly loosen the cap only if the engine is fully cold. If you hear pressure, stop and wait longer.

Step 3: Drain coolant to below the hose level

• Position a drain pan (at least 3-gallon) under the radiator area.
• If you’re doing the lower hose, raise the front with a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) and support with jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Remove any lower splash shield panels as needed using a trim clip removal tool and flat-blade screwdriver.
• Drain enough coolant so the hose you’re removing won’t dump coolant everywhere (usually you don’t need to fully drain the system).

Step 4: Remove the old hose clamps

• Use hose clamp pliers (specialty) to squeeze the clamp tabs and slide the clamp back on the hose away from the connection.
• If your Telluride has screw-type clamps, loosen them with a flat-blade screwdriver and slide them back.
• Torque to N/A (spring clamps have no torque spec)

Step 5: Remove the old radiator hose

• Twist the hose by hand to break it loose.
• If it’s stuck, use a pick tool (small hook) (specialty) carefully around the edge to break the seal. Do not gouge the plastic neck.
• Pull the hose off and aim it into the drain pan (at least 3-gallon) to catch remaining coolant.

Step 6: Inspect the fittings and install the new hose

• Wipe the radiator neck and engine-side neck clean using shop rags. Remove any rubber residue.
• Match the new hose shape to the old one before installing.
• Push the new hose on fully until it bottoms out on each neck.

Step 7: Reinstall and position clamps correctly

• Use hose clamp pliers (specialty) to move spring clamps back into their original position (behind the raised bead on the neck).
• If using screw-type clamps, tighten with a flat-blade screwdriver until snug and the hose cannot rotate by hand.
• Torque to N/A (clamp style dependent)

Step 8: Reinstall any shields and lower the vehicle (if removed)

• Reinstall splash shields using the trim clip removal tool and flat-blade screwdriver.
• Lower the vehicle safely using the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) and remove the jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).

Step 9: Refill coolant and bleed air

• Refill using a funnel with the correct engine coolant (Hyundai/Kia long-life coolant compatible with Telluride). If using концентрат, mix with distilled water per the coolant label.
• Start the engine and set HVAC to hottest temp and low fan speed.
• Let the engine warm up while watching the coolant level; top off as it drops.
• Once warm, carefully feel for heat from the vents and confirm the upper hose gets hot (sign the thermostat opened).
• Shut off, let it cool, then recheck and top off again.

---

✅ After Repair

• Check for leaks at both ends of the new hose with the engine running and after a short test drive.
• Verify the temperature gauge stays normal and the cabin heater works normally.
• Recheck coolant level the next morning (cold engine) and top off if needed.
• Dispose of old coolant properly (sealed container; local recycling/auto parts store that accepts coolant).

---

💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $250-$550 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $40-$150 (parts only)

You Save: $210-$400 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1.0-2.0 hours.

---

🎯 Ready to get started?

HowToo makes it easy: same-day/2-day shipping on every part, plus all the tools and specialty tools you need! Check out the parts and tools sections below to add everything to your cart.

---

Two quick questions so I can tailor this perfectly:

• Are you replacing the upper hose or the lower hose?
• Do you have spring clamps (squeeze tabs) or screw clamps on the hose now?