Hose clamps - factory spring style

[danf]

Does anyone know where to source the factory style spring clamps for the cooling system hoses?

My other car (Grand Prix GTP) had issues with the cooling system, so I replaced the hoses and all the clamps (they were all the screw type already.) Problem is the screw clamps leak unless you tighten them every month.

Dealer wasn't helpful, parts stores look at you like 

Thought maybe someone here would know.

[Teranfirbt]

The spring style are called Corbin clamps, and I hate them with a passion, lol.
There is only one proper answer for hose clamps, ABA.

[sirdan]

I don't think switching clamps will solve your issues. Maybe there is corrosion making a bad seal or maybe someone changed something and the hose size is incorrect. I think one time I smeared rtv on a pitted aluminum port to get it to seal up.

[twotone_ra64]

danf, what are your coolant hoses being connected to? Plastic, metal housings?

[danf]

I don't think switching clamps will solve your issues. Maybe there is corrosion making a bad seal or maybe someone changed something and the hose size is incorrect. I think one time I smeared rtv on a pitted aluminum port to get it to seal up.

No, the clamps came loose. I can turn the screw with my fingers.

danf, what are your coolant hoses being connected to? Plastic, metal housings?

Both.

And I changed all hoses and seals for the coolant system (car is 24, and I had no idea if they'd been changed yet.) The hoses and clamps are less than 6 months old.

After a lot of heat cycling screw clamps work themselves loose. That's why the manufacturers didn't use them when they built the cars.

[twotone_ra64]

After a lot of heat cycling screw clamps work themselves loose. That's why the manufacturers didn't use them when they built the cars.

Oh geez. Well it's a good thing I collect the OE spring clamps whenever possible! I've noticed that the screw clamps I do use end up loosening. Unless they've corroded from coolant spillage. 😋

[sirdan]

I've never had a screw clamp come loose but that does make sense.

[danf]

I've never had a screw clamp come loose but that does make sense.

Yeah, the GMs tend to run warmer than other cars too. I recall reading that they only kick on high speed on the fans at 230 or so, so the heat cycling would definitely be worse in this case.

15 years ago I had this problem on the Celica but it wasn't a problem back then as there were still cars in the wrecker, so I snagged a set of OEM clamps.

[danf]

So I dismantled the car enough to get at the clamps. There's only 4 hoses (8 clamps) - two heater core hoses, and the two hoses on the rad. While all eight of them had loosened off, the rad hoses loosened off 1/2 turn...

[twotone_ra64]

It's funny this topic was brought up. I was having a small undetectable coolant leak in the Miata, and remembered this post. I found that the worm gear clamp connecting the upper rad hose to the thermostat housing was loose! Had to give that about 1/2 turn as well to tighten back up.

[danf]

I switched all mine now to the factory style clamps. Will it fix the problem? I dunno, but I'll know in a month or so. 

[danf]

Well, it's been more than a month now, no leaks. More than a month and a half actually...

The reservoir level hasn't changed at all.

[blockade-runner85]

very nice to hear!

[twotone_ra64]

Sweet! I ended up replacing my Miata's engine and went with all OEM spring clamps. There was only one that was a little loose, so a brand new spring clamp solved that right away.

[danf]

So it's been a little over 3 months now.

Checked, still no leaks. Reservoir level hasn't moved either.

I forgot to mention I found a tool locally for $40 to install and remove the clamps. No more fudging with pliers! Should've done that a long time ago. Now they aren't a pain in the ass anymore.

It was definitely the worm gear clamps. I hate those things.