[wren57]

Broke the nipple off the upper rad hose on the drivers side, going to replace that entire hose but I can't get it off either end even after pulling the C clips out. I'm wiggling each end with so much force the car is moving on the jack stands, and I don't want to break the larger nipple on the radiator. Any ideas?

[Unknown_Car]

Keep wiggling i had to do that for a while thill it came loose.

[PN3UMA]

I just replaced mine last week. Just pull hard. I mean real hard, and wiggle it.

[Built My Way]

The connector is keyed and pulls straight out. It takes a bit of doing but be patient and just keep rocking/wiggling until the seal breaks. No need to exert yourself (too much).

[wren57]

Spraying silicone lubricant in the c-clip channel did the trick.

[Built My Way]

Originally Posted by wren57

Spraying silicone lubricant in the c-clip channel did the trick.

Glad to hear you got it off. Be careful not to get any silicone on the o-ring.

[Efthreeoh]

Glad you got it off. My hoses were stuck on so bad (after 230K) I had to remove the radiator, tie it down to my work bench and use two large screw drivers to pull the hose connection apart. I think the stupid BMW coolant hose connectors are the epitome of BMW over-engineering; I've yet figured out the purpose of them over a simple hose bib and worm-screw clamp.

Just wanted to rant a bit

[1QuikWS6]

After replacing every hose as regular maintenance I have found that the BMW clip n' o-ring is great for installing the hoses, especially since many would be hard to get to if using worn clamps - but not so great for removing

[Efthreeoh]

Originally Posted by 1QuikWS6

After replacing every hose as regular maintenance I have found that the BMW clip n' o-ring is great for installing the hoses, especially since many would be hard to get to if using worn clamps - but not so great for removing

I did all mine too (wrote a DIY) and I think they are the most useless apparatus ever devised to solve a problem that didn't exist. I think that even for installation (on anything but a factory-fresh system - i.e. on the assembly line) reconnecting can leave doubts as to the validity of the connection. I know of two BMWs where the connection popped off weeks after installation.

I'll go hose bib/worm clamp any day of the week. It's the Forrest my friend...

[kevin305]

After jerking, pulling, wiggling for 15 minutes I realized the following: fitting slides easily until the back egde of the wire clip channel on the hose catches on the front edge of the groove on the radiator fitting. Since I was replacing the hose anyway, I just stuck a small screwdriver in the hose fitting and snapped the back edge off. Problem solved - the hose slid right off. If you're re-using the hose try gently prying under the back edge to lift it up over the front lip of the retaining channel.

[dpaul]

Carefully placed small pry bar works for me. Not magic.

But I agree with Efthreeoh. Overengineered to answer a question that wasn't asked.

[e90yyc]

I’m surprised more people haven’t used heat. Unless they have and are still having no success.

When I first ran into this issue, I got out my heat gun, and the fittings came off without too much effort.

[mecheng77]

I'm guessing they speed up the installation time on assembly line and good for parts business

[Nathan328i]

The upper rad hose on my car was welded on and I knew if I kept yanking any harder (that's what she said) I would break the radiator neck. Had to use a dremel to cut out a large piece. Even then, I had to carefully wiggle it for several minutes before it broke loose. What a nightmare.

[e90yyc]

Originally Posted by Nathan328i

The upper rad hose on my car was welded on and I knew if I kept yanking any harder (that's what she said) I would break the radiator neck. Had to use a dremel to cut out a large piece. Even then, I had to carefully wiggle it for several minutes before it broke loose. What a nightmare.

I’d say you yanked a little too hard. You should probably see a doctor.

[Pittz1]

I poured hot water from the sink on the ends... came right off. This was after fighting it for 30minutes.

[StradaRedlands]

I just went ahead and destroyed the radiator, isn't that the proper way to do it???

[XCT]

for all big hoses the way it worked for me is to insert a flat screwdriver and twist it in those small walls with one hand and the other hand grab and wiggle the hose with all 4 fingers while pushing on the mount with the thumb, dont just pull like a money as u risk breaking it

[Jay Morac]

Shouts out to this forum saving me from braking s* 😂 appreciate all of you

[hav]

Apologies for bumping an old thread but I wanted to thank e90yyc and Pittz1 who both recommended using heat. After half an hour of wiggling, jerking, twisting, pulling and getting nowhere, I found this post.

I hit it with my heatgun on medium for no more than a minute and wiggled it right off in 10 seconds or less. It didn't take a ton of heat, even a hair dryer would do the trick. Thanks again guys!