Coolant hose explosion

Updated: 09 Dec 2024

So here’s a little riddle for you guys…

I own a mk4 GTI, just recently my water pump and timing belt were replaced. Tonight when I was driving around I noticed my small exhaust leak sounding like it was getting a little worse. I pulled over into a parking lot and gave some low end revs and next thing you know steam is billowing out from under my engine I shut off my engine immediately. After getting around the scalding steam I came to find my coolant hose to/from my engine had blown off the harder plastic, leaving the lip of the harder plastic in the hose.

Does anyone know of any specific reason this could happen other than a faulty part?

Fyi: coolant was dyed before the water pump was replaced to find a leak

Thanks guys

-Brandon

Comments

Happens all the time, not a big issue or a sign of an underlying issue, the plastic gets old and brittle and eventually crack. Just replace it and you’ll be fine.

I had the same thing happen to 2 different BMWs. Once to the upper radiator opening and the second the back of the engine had a plastic coolant tube sticking out that lead to the heater… Just snapped by itself.

When you get the new part, it’ll feel sturdier and more solid when compared to the old part.