Assumption: You’re replacing either the upper and/or lower radiator hose on your NX using Toyota/Lexus pink premix coolant; under-cover bolts are typical M6 (torque noted below).

🔧 NX - Radiator Hose Replacement

The radiator hoses carry coolant between the radiator and the engine. If a hose is cracked, swollen, leaking, or the clamp area is wet, replacement is the right fix to prevent overheating and engine damage.

Difficulty Level: Intermediate | Estimated Time: 1.5–3.0 hours

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⚠️ Safety & Precautions

• ⚠️ Never open the coolant cap on a hot engine; hot coolant can spray and burn you.
• ⚠️ Support the NX with jack stands before working underneath; never rely on a floor jack alone.
• ⚠️ Coolant is toxic to people and pets; catch all drained coolant and dispose of it properly.
• ⚠️ Keep hands clear of the radiator fans; they can turn on unexpectedly.
• ⚠️ Battery disconnect is not required, but keep tools away from electrical connectors.

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🔧 Required Tools

You'll need the following tools for this repair:

• Safety glasses
• Nitrile gloves
• Floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum)
• Wheel chocks
• Drain pan (at least 10-quart)
• Funnel
• Spill-free funnel kit (specialty)
• Pliers
• Hose clamp pliers (specialty)
• Pick tool
• Trim clip removal tool
• Ratchet
• 10mm socket
• Extension (3–6 inch)
• Flathead screwdriver
• Torque wrench (in-lb or Nm)
• 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: 2–4
• Toyota/Lexus Super Long Life Coolant (pink) premix - Qty: 2–3 gallons
• Replacement under cover clips - Qty: 2–6

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📋 Before You Begin

• Park on level ground, set the parking brake, and place wheel chocks behind the rear tires.
• Let the engine cool fully (ideally overnight).
• Set the climate to HI heat and fan on low before starting the bleed later (this helps coolant flow through the heater core).
• Lay out a drain pan and rags under the front of the NX.

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🔨 Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps in order:

Step 1: Remove the engine cover (top)

• Grab the plastic engine cover with your hands and pull straight upward to pop it off its grommets. Pull evenly at the corners.
• Set it aside where it won’t get stepped on.

Step 2: Raise the front and remove the lower engine under cover

• Use a floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to lift the front center jacking point, then support with jack stands (rated 3-ton minimum).
• Use a 10mm socket, ratchet, and extension (3–6 inch) to remove the under-cover bolts.
• Use a trim clip removal tool to remove plastic clips without breaking them.
• Reinstall later and Torque to 7.5 Nm (66 in-lbs) for typical M6 under-cover bolts. (If your fasteners differ, tighten to the manufacturer spec.)

Step 3: Relieve pressure safely and prepare to drain coolant

• Place a drain pan (at least 10-quart) under the radiator drain area.
• Slowly loosen the coolant reservoir cap by hand (do not remove quickly). If you hear pressure, stop and wait.
• Once no pressure is present, remove the cap fully by hand.

Step 4: Drain enough coolant to get below hose level

• Use a flashlight to locate the radiator drain cock at the bottom of the radiator.
• Use a flathead screwdriver only if needed (some are hand-turn) and open the drain cock slowly.
• Drain until the coolant level is below the hose you’re replacing, then close the drain cock snugly by hand. Do not overtighten plastic drains.

Step 5: Remove the upper radiator hose (top hose) (if replacing)

• Use pliers or hose clamp pliers (specialty) to compress the spring clamp (spring clamp = a metal clamp you squeeze to loosen).
• Slide the clamp back on the hose (away from the radiator neck).
• Twist the hose gently to break it free, then pull it off. If it’s stuck, carefully work around the edge with a pick tool to loosen it without scratching the plastic/metal neck.
• Repeat for the other end of the hose at the engine side.

Step 6: Remove the lower radiator hose (bottom hose) (if replacing)

• From underneath, use a flashlight to find the lower hose connections.
• Use hose clamp pliers (specialty) to compress and slide the clamp back.
• Use pliers to help twist the hose free, then pull it off while keeping the drain pan positioned for extra coolant loss.
• Use a pick tool only gently if the hose is bonded to the neck.

Step 7: Install the new hose(s) and position clamps correctly

• Compare the new hose to the old one for matching shape and length.
• Slide the clamps onto the hose before installing.
• Push the hose fully onto each neck until it seats against the stop/bead.
• Use hose clamp pliers (specialty) to place the clamp near the end of the hose, behind the bead on the neck (not on the very edge).
• Wipe the area with shop rags so leaks are easy to spot later.

Step 8: Reinstall the under cover and lower the vehicle

• Reinstall the under cover using the 10mm socket, ratchet, and trim clip removal tool.
• Torque to 7.5 Nm (66 in-lbs) for typical M6 under-cover bolts (or tighten to the manufacturer spec for your fasteners).
• Use the floor jack (rated 3-ton minimum) to remove the jack stands and lower the NX.

Step 9: Refill and bleed air from the cooling system

• Install a spill-free funnel kit (specialty) at the coolant reservoir/fill point per the funnel kit instructions.
• Slowly add Toyota/Lexus Super Long Life Coolant (pink) premix using a funnel until the level stabilizes.
• Start the engine and let it idle; keep the heater on HI.
• As it warms up, carefully squeeze the upper radiator hose by hand (with nitrile gloves) to help push trapped air out.
• Watch for air bubbles to stop and for steady heat from the vents.
• Top off as needed, then remove the funnel and reinstall the cap securely by hand.

Step 10: Reinstall the engine cover

• Align the cover and push straight down by hand until it snaps into place.

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✅ After Repair

• With the engine fully warmed, check for leaks at both ends of each replaced hose using a flashlight.
• Shut the engine off, let it cool completely, then recheck the coolant level and top off if needed.
• Test drive 10–15 minutes, recheck for leaks again, and verify the temperature gauge stays normal.
• If you ever get an overheating warning, stop driving and shut the engine off immediately.

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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 1.5–3.0 hours.

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🎯 Ready to get started?

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