Radiator flex hose, can it be cut? I assume its possible for it to unravel itself but you think ill be good if I clamp it down good say, a good inch and a half before the cut end? Or will making any cut compromise the structural integrity because it seems the way its built is like a spiral?

Im not really finding any useful info on google and I kinda need to know asap. Lol, tried calling the store to get their opinion and get this... The girl who rang me up has never heard of this stuff.

 

I wouldnt try it outside of a temporary repair stuck out in the middle of nowhere with no other options.

My logic is they designed it with flat ends for a reason. That adds a notable amount to the cost to manufacture (over just making a mile of the corrugated section and hacking it to length to sell as is). I suspect it'll be hard/impossible to tighten the clamp enough to crush it totally flat around the whole diameter. Having a natural spiral leak path through the clamp area sure doesn't help the situation either.

 

I agree with bumpin on that, you may want to get a hose with out all the spirals in it. If you cut it in the spring area it will compromise the hose and it will leak all over the place I saw this on someones car and it was a mess.

 

"Spiral leak path" was what my brain was trying to put together. Thank you.

So I tried it and its held up for about an hour's worth of driving so far. Long enough to get the actual hose I need for the car.

It has unraveled to the point of the clamp and I think im gonna keep driving till it leaks, which I expect anytime now.

Ill keep the hose, wrench, and water with me I guess. Lol