Gen 2 upper radiator hose problem

[V10SpeedLuvr]

A GA-VCA member is having his upper radiator hose replaced on his 97’ GTS. They ordered the hose from an Atlanta dealer. When the hose came in, it was the mirror opposite of what it should’ve been. Aka the bends in the hose were on the opposite side of the hose where they belong. They took the hose off his car to get the part #, called another dealer and ordered it by part number. When that hose came in, it was the same mirrored opposite hose the first dealer gave them. The part #’s match up, but the hoses are total opposites. I do not have the part # that they ordered, but can get it if it will help solve this mystery. The tech working on the car (former Viper owner) said its like they are molding the hoses backwards when they are made. To even get the hose on the car, they are having to put the “radiator end” of the hose on the engine side and then it lays over the airbox and just looks really bad. Its functional, but clearly not right. Anyone run into this? What did you do?


I did a search and saw a Gen 1 owner complain about getting a "backwards" upper radiator hose, but no complaints from Gen 2 owners.

 

[Zentenk]

I had the exact same issue at my dealer over a year ago. I sent pictures to the wizard and he said they may have been made incorrectly and he didn't have any in stock. My only suggestion (which I will be doing soon) is getting the aftermarket silicone hoses. For a temporary fix I went to Lowes and got water pipe wrap and used that to seal my hole on my original hose.

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

I had the exact same issue at my dealer over a year ago. I sent pictures to the wizard and he said they may have been made incorrectly. My only suggestion (which I will be doing soon) is getting the aftermarket silicone hoses. For a temporary fix I went to Lowes and got water pipe wrap and used that to seal my hole on my original hose.

Thanks for the info. I checked around locally for them, but no local auto parts places showed a listing. Its crazy they would make hoses backwards in the 1st place and then over a year later still be shipping them to dealers.

 

[jcaspar1]

Should work if you just turn it inside out??

 

[V10SpeedLuvr]

Should work if you just turn it inside out??

That was my 1st thought. "Switch hands, you're prob holding it backwards"

 

[Zentenk]

That was my 1st thought. "Switch hands, you're prob holding it backwards"

I had the same issue, at first I thought it was the lower hose they gave me so I took it back for another one. I told the dealership but I guess they didn't care to inform anyone.

I suggest everyone with older Vipers to start replacing hoses.

 

[97snk]

I've a silicone upper hose. It's brand new ordered from snake oyl. I went with paxton so did not need it since paxton came with it's own. I can do 60 shipped if he needs it...

 

[Zentenk]

97Snk to the rescue!! Awesome!

 

[Ratical2]

Reverse the new upper factory hose. It can be made to fit, just not exactly the way the original did.. I got mine from Chuck. When I saw the same problem as described above I called the Wizard and he explained that this is how the new supplier molded the part. It can be made to work , but Chuck said, " You gotta twist it just right!"
Yeah, it is not pretty or right but that is how it is unless you go with silicone hoses.

 

[Zentenk]

Mine wouldn't work at all... my K&N intake box must have been in the way for it to work. I'd rather get a more durable hose 10 more years from now you will be wishing you did... haha.

 

[Fatboy 18]

Pics please

 

[dave6666]

April Fools!​

 

[Fatboy 18]

Dam

 

[DrumrBoy]

Nice new avatar pic Chad!