Advice Removing Lower Radiator Hose On Thermostat

[rennwerkes]

Changing out my thermostat this weekend.
Job isn't too bad but I'm stuck trying to disconnect the lower radiator hose from the thermostat.
No matter how hard I pull it won't budge and yes, I have removed the clip.
I even tried gently levering with a screwdriver to no avail.
Is there any "trick" to getting it off?
I've seen video's of guys removing other similarly connected hose and seems like they just pop off after a bit of pulling.

[67Twisty]

No real trick for removal. I think I used a hose pick on mine. Wiggled it up and down and kept pulling until it popped off. You can use a little white lithium grease when re-installing to avoid this issue next time it needs to come off. Because of the plastic coupler at the radiator end, it's an expensive part to replace so avoid cutting it if you can.

[Theiceman]

squirt some silicone lube around the connection and where the clip slips around. just keep twisting and rocking , it will come ..

[oVeRdOsE]

I confirm, no trick, do not twist.

Wiggle and pull. A flat screw driver might help.

I had hard time few weeks back. You have to judge the right force to not break the plastic connection.

[Theiceman]

and by the way DEFINITELY replace the hard coolant pipe oring ... I thought I could put some curil T on it and id be okay .. nope .. I ended up going back in a day later to replace the oring.

[rennwerkes]

and by the way DEFINITELY replace the hard coolant pipe oring ... I thought I could put some curil T on it and id be okay .. nope .. I ended up going back in a day later to replace the oring.

Roger that.
From all the diy's I read they all recommended replacing the o-ring so have one on hand.
But damn! I've got to get that hose off!!! GRRRR!!!

[Theiceman]

you probably have some dried coolant fighting you . its nature is to harden up under atmosphere to prevent leaks. It will come of you rock it back and forth while pulling down.

just don't get frustrated .. it will end in tears

[Okedokey]

Dont use silicon on anything that can get into the engine. It doesn't burn and can cause problems. (Source: ElsaWin).

[b7_Andy]

Ha my engine's made of silicone! JK, it's okay to use silicone spray on cooling system parts. I haven't had to pull a radiator hose off my Audi yet, but I was working on an older BMW and there was no chance that the radiator hose was going to budge. So two things: heat and and a pry bar. Now these parts are plastic so be careful how much heat you use. I held a heat gun pretty far away from the hose not to burn it. I would say that a hair dryer on the highest setting is definitely safe enough to where it will get some heat on the hose, but won't burn the plastic. I then used the bar for my jack to pry at the hose. You have to be careful not to break any plastic while prying so take your time and gently work it until it starts to budge. Of all the methods I tried (pulling, hammering), prying it with a bar was the only one that worked. Although I don't feel as credible here because this was all done on a Bimmer so I'm not sure if you'll have enough space on the A4 to pry at the hose. Once the hose starts to budge you can twist it while pulling and it will come off. I hope this helps, and I sprayed a little bit of silicone lubricant before putting the hose back on...


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[Theiceman]

Yeah the silicone spray lubricant will be fine. Can't really pry that one though adios a plastic collar. Just keep working it. Hot water on the outside of the connection may help too. As stated heat can do wonders I used a hose pic for the other line on there as I found that one worse.

[Okedokey]

Just use something like machine grade oil.

[BenMTL]

Did you first try draining your coolant via the drain hole? All our cars have it on the lower radiator hose, except if user experiences on this forum are correct, most of ours are broken/stuck.

Mine at least was so I had to pull the whole dam hose off which was annoying (although mine came off easily) and made a mess. Unfortunately, to fix the issue with our broken drain holes (lol), the lower rad hose has hoses crimped to it so you have to replace the whole part which costs roughly $100 I think...Anyway, I bought it and have it waiting in my garage to swap out next time I do anything with my coolant so I can just use the drain port next time instead of having the remove the whole hose....

[rennwerkes]

Did you first try draining your coolant via the drain hole? All our cars have it on the lower radiator hose, except if user experiences on this forum are correct, most of ours are broken/stuck.

Mine at least was so I had to pull the whole dam hose off which was annoying (although mine came off easily) and made a mess. Unfortunately, to fix the issue with our broken drain holes (lol), the lower rad hose has hoses crimped to it so you have to replace the whole part which costs roughly $100 I think...Anyway, I bought it and have it waiting in my garage to swap out next time I do anything with my coolant so I can just use the drain port next time instead of having the remove the whole hose....

I did drain the coolant but there was still residual coolant when I pulled the other two hoses.

[Theiceman]

keep at it , did you try pouring some hot water on it ? ( it would actually have worked better with the coolant still in it though as the coolant keeps that stat cold and the hot water heats up the line you are trying to get off.

[allstock]

WD40 and thirty minutes worked for me. Make sure you secure it back on correctly. For some reason they pop off easily when you think connected correctly. Dead of winter after the change and I didn't correlate a cloud of steam thinking it was exhaust. At a light my engine temp started looking different then started to climb. I blew the light and hauled ass home less than a mile and killed the engine just as it got to the highest point. The freezing weather helped.

[B72011]

I gave up on it (lower hose connector) and the worthless petcock. I just pulled the T stat off and let it drain out that way.

[Theiceman]

I gave up on it (lower hose connector) and the worthless petcock. I just pulled the T stat off and let it drain out that way.

im not sure you can really give up on it when changing a stat.

[JesusB7a4]

Put your purse down and pull! Lol Jk but seriously you just have to wiggle and pull it out

[Ringsby4]

I gave up on it (lower hose connector) and the worthless petcock. I just pulled the T stat off and let it drain out that way.

I'd just hate to have a worthless petcock,or my wife would anyways lol ! Jokes aside what you need to remove most coolant hoses is a pick or set of picks.One at 90 degrees for sure and just work it around between the hose and pipe...works every time.

[B72011]

Yeah I have those, I just didnt want to break plastic. Then you're in the position of having to go to Audi and open the wallet WAY WAY WAY up for the part and wait 2-3 days or get on the net and find it for a few less $$ and wait 5 days for the part to come in. I'd rather not yank on dried up, brittle plastic and cheap by draining thru the t stat when doing the t stat.
Now when I go to change the Tbelt in 40K and to swap to new coolant--I may have to revisit the issue with the hose petcock garbage?

[Theiceman]

Put your purse down and pull! Lol Jk but seriously you just have to wiggle and pull it out"
"

wow that's as bad as .. go knock on your neighbours door and see if there are any guys home that can help ..

:)

he'll get it ..

[rennwerkes]

Thanks for all the "positive" advice!
I'll let you guys know how it goes when I have at it again over the weekend.

[Theiceman]

We are expecting nothing less than victory !!!

[Audi_509]

Or broken parts!

[rennwerkes]

We are expecting nothing less than victory !!!

So I declare VICTORY! LOL!
Gave the coupling area a shot of penetrating oil yesterday.
Tried again this afternoon and after a bit of pulling and tugging the hose almost popped off by itself.
The weird thing is that it was almost like it had to be in a perfect alignment and it just came off.
Go figure!
Another frustrating thing I came across is removing that stupid little "C" shaped hose that runs across the thermostat.
It was nearly impossible to remove since the rubber had fused to the metal hose connector. Had to use a razor blade to get all the residue off.
I'm like all of you, love the Audi.
But I'm really surprised at the simple problems.
My car has less than 60k on it and has had defective thermostat, cam follower going bad, cracked glovebox hinge, etc., etc.

[Theiceman]

Glad you got it done ... you are were on your way after that im sure... I am not sure what the c shaped hose is you are referring too as I didn't take any hoses off any metal lines.. But I have 1 2005.5 so maybe its a little different.