Sweating heater hose

[PlymouthSpDelux]

That's a new one on me.  What type of clamps are you using, think they are biting into the hose?

I have reproduction chromed double wire clamps on the water pump end and NOS flat clamps on the firewall end.  While anything is possible, I don't think it is the clamps because the hose is evenly wet on the entire surface (including top side of hose) for the entire length of the hose.

[SD Glenn]

I have seen a hose leak like that, right thru the whole hose. It was a defective hose and they replaced it. I don't remember if it was Gates or not but Hedahls Automotive took care of it, but thats the only time I ever saw it. Good luck with that. Thanks for the info on my Radiator question.
SD Glenn

[jd2ksilver]

That's a new one on me.  What type of clamps are you using, think they are biting into the hose?

[PlymouthSpDelux]

One year ago I was putting the finishing touches on painting the engine compartment, as well as replacing the hoses and fan belt, etc.  I had an exciting season parading the old Plymouth around to shows.  As winter approached, I noticed a very minor drop of antifreeze.  I kept an eye on it, and thought the origin of the small leak might be that goose neck on top of the water pump.  The old goose neck was pitted so perhaps the antifreeze found a little path to leak out of.

With such a severe winter, the car sat and I never started it for 2 or 3 months.  I opened the hood this weekend and was surprised to see much more antifreeze had leaked out.  Not enough to be a mechanical problem, but enough to be a pain-in-the-neck if you want to keep the engine clean.

Now I am thinking the origin of the drip is the hose itself.  Both sections of heater hose are "sweating" (one section runs between the radiator and heater, and the other section runs between the heater and engine block).  It looks like condensation, but that's not possible since I have not been starting the engine.  The exterior of the hose looks moist, and there is evidence that antifreeze has dripped onto the inner fender from the low point of the hose.  As far as the drip near the goose neck, it looks like the end of the hose is evenly moist, as if capillary action is bringing a tiny bit of antifreeze out of the end.

This hose is Gates 1 5/8" heater hose, purchased last winter.  Has anyone else noticed this type of thing?  Thanks.