The other night I went to visit some family which is a good hour drive from here. Being as our blazer has always had issues I didnt want to go, but the hubby said everything should be fine. Well on the way home The check gages light came on and I pulled over. I was stranded in a VERY nasty part of cleveland and was eventually towed home. Well it turns out that the heater hose burst (there is a hole in in about 1cm -1 1/2cm long). We don't have the extra cash right now to replace it due to the fact that it cost us over $225 to get the damn thing towed back home! My husband is wanting to know if it is okay to temporarily remove the hose all together and put some type of plug where it goes since we aren't using the heater right now anyways. He had technical terms for all of this but I don't remember what he called them. Is that even possible? Or is there maybe and quick and inexpensive temporary fix we can use? We mainly just use the truck in town for driving our daughter to school and when he goes to work. Thanks in advance for your help, and sorry if I sound like an idiot. lol

 

Sorry about your troubles but they are actually minor issues compared to most of the complaints here. The heater hoses are really cheap and run 10-15 dollars but you can bypass the heater core. Pull both hoses from the firewall, cut off the bad section of hose and connect the two hoses together. I don't recommend just plugging the hoses as water is pumping through the heater hoses even if the thermostat is closed so if you plug them the water pump is pushing against an immovable object which can cause other problems. You also might want to check to see if towing is available with your car insurance. I have Progressive and it costs me something like $8 every six months and it's available even with the liability only policy.

 

I will let my husband know about this. I have priced the hoses and the cheapest i found was 27...maybe i am not pricing the right item??? i know 27 dollars doesnt seem like a lot but when you have 3 children and a very low income it is. lol thanks.

 

I realize this isn't THE best answer but...can the bad spot be cut out allowing you (or husband) to 'shorten' the hose? Maybe you aren't that lucky(position of the rupture) because this isn't a solution per say but may get you by til the next paycheck...Jerry

 

Cut the hose at the hole and put in a pipe to join the two peices and two hose clamps.

Maybe $3 total.

It will work till you get a hose.

 

What Ken said!
Especially adding tow to insurance. I have State Farm {bless 'em,, they set the standard for service} and it's well spent money.. even if it's break-even.
except... the reason for connecting the hoses instead of plugging is to make engine warm-up go smoother. the coolant circulates right up past the thermostat

 

You can also use a clean out "T" to splice hose.

Verizon wireless also offers roadside assistance. About 5-8 dollars for my whole family plan of 5 phones. Not sure what a single phone would cost.

Good luck!