Hi,

I am trying to change the coolant from a friends car. It has a different clip/clamp then my car. Could anyone explain to me how to get this hose of the retainer?

Ps i have search the forum could not find a answer quickly

Picture

there's two options


1) use a clamp to push the two metal lugs in. Then twist it off. I can't push the two lugs in by hand and I am no weakling. This is how I do it. I put a little
lithium grease on the rubber seal, makes it easy to take off in future. I use a small G-Clamp


2) cut the Hose clamp off and replace with a new hose clamp. This is what most people do

I want to do this too. However i never seen this black plastic part. I thought i had to remove this in order to flush the old fluid?

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So how do i get this clamp off? This is a same type different location for illustration

I am trying to push in and twist off (as far as i know) does anyone have a video because i think am doing it wrong???

Begin by levering up the small metal tabs, then the clamping part unfolds.

This is what it looks like when it's opened out



Replaced with a Jubilee clip.

Smegie said:

However i never seen this black plastic part

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I'd leave this alone; some have reported they are fragile and may be permanently damaged if you attempt removal.

The hose clips are single use, so if you're also replacing the hoses, use any reasonable means at your disposal. Just take care not to damage the stub.

Replace with jubilee type clips; I generally use one of the stainless versions, if possible, a branded 'Jubilee' clip.

If all you're doing is changing the coolant, you'd be better off leaving the hose connections alone and syphoning it. Removing the hoses won't get you any more coolant out.

+1 on siphoning instead of removing clip or doing battle with the "quick connect" elbow.
Works just as well without any of the risk, as long as you have the radiator with the built-in expansion tank.

irc said:

as long as you have the radiator with the built-in expansion tank.

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Yes, thanks for this, I should have qualified my earlier comment.

The bottom of the built in expansion tank is the lowest point in the system, and also the point at which most of any crud which may be present will naturally settle. It's directly in line with the filler cap, so easy to get a decent hose in to syphon out the debris.

the quick release connector works perfectly well

you just can't push in the metal clips hard enough while also pulling and twisting

no doubt there a special tool.

a small clamp works just as well. The whole job is simple and quick.

Thank you for advise i have done it with your help!

That clip thing on the bottom of the expansion tank is a nightmare! Me and my grandad (who is pretty bloody strong!) tried for an hour to twist it off while pushing the tabs in last summer, no luck! Might just end up siphoning my coolant out if that can be done, hoses are still good and not leaking so I might try one of those drill pump thingies, thanks for the tip jrkitching !

If only Fiat had the wisdom to put a drain valve on em! I believe the 500s have one, but not the Panda!

RayovacWorkhorse said:

That clip thing on the bottom of the expansion tank is a nightmare! Me and my grandad (who is pretty bloody strong!) tried for an hour to twist it off while pushing the tabs in last summer, no luck! Might just end up siphoning my coolant out if that can be done, hoses are still good and not leaking so I might try one of those drill pump thingies, thanks for the tip jrkitching !

If only Fiat had the wisdom to put a drain valve on em! I believe the 500s have one, but not the Panda!

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you will not easily do it by fingers alone.

just put a g-clamp over the two metal clips

then pull twist. Simples. Takes less than a minute with the front in the air. There's a locking pin so it doesn't twist much just a millimeter or so


It can be done with all wheels on the ground by touch. Its a bit harder to line everything up and difficult to pull and twist. Angle makes it really difficult


not sure why you would cut the Hose off. Once you have the knack of the quick release its very convenient. The only things you have to watch out for is the rubber o ring sticking to the radiator and the connector is pushed fully home.

there's no more force needed to remove it the removing the hose.

Having "the knack" to using the QD connector is all very well. However, a new hose clip costs a couple of pounds. The cost of a damaged plastic elbow is considerably more and possibly very hard (if not impossible) to get hold of.

On a simple balance of risks, cutting the old single use clip and fitting a new worm clip is the best option.

DaveMcT said:

Having "the knack" to using the QD connector is all very well. However, a new hose clip costs a couple of pounds. The cost of a damaged plastic elbow is considerably more and possibly very hard (if not impossible) to get hold of.

On a simple balance of risks, cutting the old single use clip and fitting a new worm clip is the best option.

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I took the hose QR coupling off my wife's car and it would not reseal and dripped slowly afterwards. The elbow is part of the hose. These are c. £97 from fiat or £12.50 from Gates. The quality of the elbow couldn't even be described as poor. The new gates part was visibly better made. I couldn't be bothered to remove the upper hose clip so just fitted the elbow off the new bottom hose and a new jubilee clip. Problem solved. On this car which is a 2014 1.2 the elbow required a straight pull off, but age and lack of arm strength defeated me and I wiggled it. The O ring retaining ring was loose in the elbow. I wouldn't waste time with new O rings as as I tried that with no success.

The Panda Nut said:

I took the hose QR coupling off my wife's car and it would not reseal and dripped slowly afterwards. The elbow is part of the hose. These are c. £97 from fiat or £12.50 from Gates. The quality of the elbow couldn't even be described as poor. The new gates part was visibly better made. I couldn't be bothered to remove the upper hose clip so just fitted the elbow off the new bottom hose and a new jubilee clip. Problem solved. On this car which is a 2014 1.2 the elbow required a straight pull off, but age and lack of arm strength defeated me and I wiggled it. The O ring retaining ring was loose in the elbow. I wouldn't waste time with new O rings as as I tried that with no success.

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at least you have tried. Must have been unlucky.


I had two cars. Both had the radiator changed. One had the heater matrix changed along with a coolant flush when I got the cars. One nearly 200K the other 150k


Once the drivers side has been driven up ramp. Disconnecting the hose is less than a minute. There is no strain on the housing. The clips can't be easily pushed in by finger pressure.


putting it back is a simple as just pushing it back. You do have to make sure the rubber seal is still properly seated in its groove.

I'm a clip cutter.

TBH I didn't notice the QR connection on my old Panda.

Spotted it as I was going to flush the coolant on the new(er) MJ (no chance of syphoning the MJ).

I did have a go at splitting the QR coupling but thought I'd do more damage so gave up before damage was done

Opened up the old clip, pored boiling water on the hose to warm it up a bit then slipped off like a good en .

I don't like moving cold hoses as I'm paranoid of splitting them.

My 04 pandas clip seemed a 'single use' item

So I used a junior hacksaw at 45' to the clips most accessible plain band section..
to score the clip through..

Once there is a groove across the steel band..

Pry the band..and it will twist and break

I then ran the engine the warm the coolant and hoses

The warm hose twisted off simply