Coolant hose only leaks when going up steep hills

Asked by Guru94BCVF Sep 12, 2020 at 12:09 PM about the 2003 Honda Accord DX

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

2003 Honda Accord. White smoke came off engine
when I stopped vehicle going up a steep hill at high
elevation (9,000 ft) Found it to be a slight spray out
of a coolant hose, but hose did not leak at all
coming back downhill and driving flats for 15 miles
back to town. Thoughts?

3 Answers

40,200

Driving up a hill puts more strain and generates more heat so the cooling system has to do more work. If you have a slight spray from a hose, replace that hose. The cooling system is a closed system and any leaks will cause issues.

I know to replace the hose. I was just curious as to why coolant doesn’t circulate through that particular hose when the car is going downhill or flat. I was pleased that it didn’t because I was able to get it home just fine. It was just a mystery to me that it didn’t leak at all on the way home, only going up a steep hill.

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