🔧 Legacy - Radiator Hose Replacement

Replacing a radiator hose stops coolant leaks and prevents overheating. You’ll drain some coolant, swap the hose(s), then refill and bleed air from the cooling system so it runs at the correct temperature.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.0-2.0 hours

Assumption: replacing both upper and lower radiator hoses.

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Never open the radiator cap hot; coolant can spray and burn.
• ⚠️ Support the car with jack stands before going underneath.
• ⚠️ Keep coolant away from kids/pets; it’s toxic and sweet-tasting.
• ⚠️ Wipe spills immediately; coolant is slippery.
• ⚠️ If you disconnect the battery, your radio presets may reset.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Drain pan (at least 2-gallon)
• Slip-joint pliers
• Hose clamp pliers
• Pick tool
• Flathead screwdriver
• 10mm socket
• 12mm socket
• 3/8" ratchet
• 3" extension
• Torque wrench (in-lb or low Nm)
• Trim clip remover
• Funnel
• Spill-free coolant funnel kit (specialty)
• Shop rags
• Flashlight

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🔩 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: 4
• Subaru-compatible coolant (pre-mixed 50/50, blue) - Qty: 2 gallons

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear wheels.
• Let the engine cool completely (best: sit overnight).
• Set the cabin heat to HOT (this helps coolant circulate through the heater core during bleeding).
• Lay out drain pan and rags under the front of the car.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Raise the front and remove the lower cover (if equipped)

• Use a floor jack to lift the front jack point, then set the car on jack stands.
• Use a trim clip remover to remove plastic clips, then use a 10mm socket and ratchet to remove any bolts holding the lower engine cover/splash shield.
• Reinstall cover bolts later: Torque to 7.5 Nm (66 in-lbs).

Step 2: Relieve pressure safely

• Place shop rags around the radiator cap area.
• Slowly loosen the radiator cap only when fully cool. If you hear hiss/pressure, stop and let it cool longer.

Step 3: Drain enough coolant for hose removal

• Position a drain pan under the radiator.
• If accessible, open the radiator drain (petcock) by hand or with a flathead screwdriver as needed, and drain until the level is below the hose you’re replacing.
• If the drain isn’t accessible, you can drain from the lower hose in Step 5 (expect a faster gush).

Step 4: Replace the upper radiator hose

• Locate the upper hose (from the top of the radiator to the engine).
• Use hose clamp pliers to compress the spring clamp and slide it back onto the hose.
• Twist the hose to break it free. If it’s stuck, use a pick tool to gently lift the hose edge to let air in. Don’t gouge the plastic radiator neck.
• Pull the hose off. Expect some coolant spill into the drain pan.
• Install the new hose fully onto the radiator neck and engine fitting (it should seat past the raised bead).
• Move the clamp back into its original position using hose clamp pliers.

Step 5: Replace the lower radiator hose

• Locate the lower hose (bottom of radiator to engine area). Use a flashlight to see the clamps clearly.
• Reposition the drain pan directly under the lower hose connection.
• Use hose clamp pliers (or slip-joint pliers) to compress the clamp and slide it back.
• Carefully twist and pull the hose off. Coolant will drain quickly.
• Install the new lower hose fully, then reinstall the clamp in the same spot as before.

Step 6: Reinstall the lower cover

• Reinstall the splash shield using the 10mm socket, ratchet, and trim clip remover for clips.
• Tighten cover bolts: Torque to 7.5 Nm (66 in-lbs).

Step 7: Refill coolant and bleed air

• Install a spill-free coolant funnel kit (specialty) on the radiator fill neck (it seals so you can burp air without spills).
• Slowly add Subaru-compatible coolant (pre-mixed 50/50, blue) using a funnel until the funnel level stays steady.
• Start the engine and let it idle. Keep the cabin heat set to HOT.
• As it warms up, watch for air bubbles in the funnel. Add coolant as needed so it never sucks air back in.
• When the cooling fans cycle on and off at least once, and bubbles mostly stop, shut the engine off.
• Let it cool, then remove the funnel and install the radiator cap.
• Fill the overflow reservoir to the FULL line.

Step 8: Lower the car

• Use the floor jack to lift slightly, remove the jack stands, then lower the car.

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✅ After Repair

• Start the engine and inspect both hoses for leaks at idle using a flashlight.
• Take a short drive, then recheck for leaks and recheck the overflow level after it cools.
• Over the next 2-3 heat cycles, recheck the overflow level and top off if needed (normal as tiny air pockets purge).
• Dispose of old coolant properly (sealed container; take to a recycling/collection facility).

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

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

DIY Cost: $60-$180 (parts only)

You Save: $190-$370 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.

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🎯 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.