🔧 Soul - Radiator Hose Replacement

Replacing a radiator hose stops coolant leaks and prevents overheating. You’ll remove the old hose, install the new one with proper clamp placement, then refill and bleed air from the cooling system.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1-2 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Never open the coolant reservoir/cap on a hot engine—hot coolant can spray and burn you.
• ⚠️ Let your Soul cool fully (at least 1-2 hours) before starting.
• ⚠️ Use jack stands if lifting the front—never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Coolant is toxic to people and pets—catch every drop and dispose of properly.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Drain pan (at least 2-gallon)
• Funnel
• Shop towels
• Slip-joint pliers
• Hose clamp pliers (specialty)
• Pick tool (90-degree)
• Flat-blade screwdriver
• Trim clip removal tool
• Floor jack (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 2-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Work light

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🔩 Required Parts

HowToo sells all the parts you need for this repair:

• Radiator hose (upper) - Qty: 1
• Radiator hose (lower) - Qty: 1
• Hose clamps - Qty: 2-4
• Engine coolant (Hyundai/Kia long-life P-OAT, premixed 50/50) - Qty: 1-2 gallons
• Distilled water - Qty: 1 gallon

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park your Soul on level ground and set the parking brake.
• Let the engine cool completely.
• Place a drain pan under the front of the engine/radiator area.
• If access is tight, raise the front with a floor jack and support with jack stands; use wheel chocks at the rear wheels.
• Hose “clamps” are the rings holding the hose.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Confirm which hose you’re replacing

• The upper radiator hose runs from the top of the radiator to the engine.
• The lower radiator hose runs from the bottom of the radiator to the engine.
• If you’re not sure, use a work light and follow each hose from the radiator end.

Step 2: Relieve coolant system pressure (engine cold)

• Slowly loosen the coolant reservoir cap by hand.
• If you hear any hiss, stop and let pressure bleed off before removing the cap fully.

Step 3: Drain coolant to below the hose level

• Position the drain pan under the radiator lower area.
• If an under cover blocks access, remove the clips with a trim clip removal tool and a flat-blade screwdriver.
• Drain enough coolant so the radiator level is below the hose you’re replacing.
• Draining less = less mess.

Step 4: Remove the old hose clamps

• Most factory clamps are spring clamps.
• Use hose clamp pliers (specialty) or slip-joint pliers to squeeze the clamp tabs.
• Slide the clamp back several inches away from the hose end.
• Clamp pliers lock in place—easier for beginners.

Step 5: Remove the old radiator hose

• Twist the hose by hand to break it loose from the fitting.
• If it’s stuck, gently work around the edge with a pick tool (90-degree) to separate the hose from the metal/plastic neck.
• Pull the hose off and immediately aim it into the drain pan.
• Wipe spilled coolant with shop towels.

Step 6: Prep the fittings (the “hose nipples”)

• Use shop towels to clean the radiator neck and engine-side neck where the hose seals.
• Make sure no old rubber is stuck on the sealing surface.
• Inspect the radiator/engine neck for cracks or heavy corrosion.

Step 7: Install the new hose and clamps

• Slide the new clamps onto the new hose first (use slip-joint pliers if they’re spring clamps).
• Push the hose fully onto each fitting until it bottoms out.
• Position the clamp behind the raised “bead” on the fitting.
• If using worm-gear clamps, tighten with a flat-blade screwdriver until snug (do not crush the neck).

Step 8: Refill coolant

• Use a funnel to refill the coolant reservoir with Hyundai/Kia long-life P-OAT premixed 50/50 to the MAX line.
• If you drained a lot, refill slowly and pause to let air escape.

Step 9: Bleed air and check for leaks

• Start the engine and set the heater to HOT (this helps coolant circulate through the heater core).
• Let it idle while watching for leaks at both ends of the new hose (use a work light).
• As the engine warms, carefully squeeze the upper hose a few times (with nitrile gloves) to help burp air.
• Continue until the radiator fan cycles and the heat blows warm.
• Shut the engine off and let it cool fully, then top off the reservoir to the MAX line using a funnel.

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✅ After Repair

• Test drive 10-15 minutes, then re-check for leaks with a work light.
• After the next full cool-down, re-check coolant level and top off if needed.
• If you smell coolant or see dripping, re-check clamp position and tightness.

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💰 DIY vs Shop Cost

Shop Cost: $200-$450 (parts + labor)

DIY Cost: $40-$140 (parts only)

You Save: $160-$310 by doing it yourself!

Shop labor rates vary but typically run $100-$150/hour. This repair takes a shop approximately 1-2 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.