Phoenix
Husqvarna
AA Class
If you've been thinking about replacing that stock plastic T fitting in your radiator hoses, but just haven't gotten around to it yet, then you might consider going ahead and doing it.
I've been trying to get a Y from Up-Tite for a while, but he's been having some problems with the company that does his casting. I hunted around for a while looking for a metal barbed T or Y fitting, but couldn't find anything that looked right. After a bit, I contacted Zip-Ty and they suggested that I use a 2010 radiator hose. Eureka! I didn't know it, but the 2010 models have a one-piece upper radiator hose to replace the 3 hose/t-fitting setup from the older models.
Here's the damage. You couldn't actually see the hole until the hose was removed. It was pretty obvious once I tried to refill the radiators and coolant started pouring out from under the tank. I would have thought that my husband would have checked the coolant after the overheat that started this whole mess.
Here is a comparison of the 09 radiator hose setup and the 2010 TXC 450 unified hose. The new hose is not shaped exactly the same as the old one and the whole thing is taller from bottom to top. I had to push the ends that connect to the radiator up as high as I could. There is a lip on the water pump housing that prevents you from shoving it on farther than designed. I think that trimming the ends of the hose would help a bit.
New unified hose installed. It fits pretty well (would be better with some trimming) and has a nice grommet that connects to the left hand radiator mount. I had to use a longer bolt due to the added thickness of the rubber (it isn't bolted up in this picture).
I had been holding out for an Up-Tite Y, but got to the breaking point and had to do something. The 2010 unified radiator hose was about $25 from Halls.
I've been trying to get a Y from Up-Tite for a while, but he's been having some problems with the company that does his casting. I hunted around for a while looking for a metal barbed T or Y fitting, but couldn't find anything that looked right. After a bit, I contacted Zip-Ty and they suggested that I use a 2010 radiator hose. Eureka! I didn't know it, but the 2010 models have a one-piece upper radiator hose to replace the 3 hose/t-fitting setup from the older models.
Here's the damage. You couldn't actually see the hole until the hose was removed. It was pretty obvious once I tried to refill the radiators and coolant started pouring out from under the tank. I would have thought that my husband would have checked the coolant after the overheat that started this whole mess.

Here is a comparison of the 09 radiator hose setup and the 2010 TXC 450 unified hose. The new hose is not shaped exactly the same as the old one and the whole thing is taller from bottom to top. I had to push the ends that connect to the radiator up as high as I could. There is a lip on the water pump housing that prevents you from shoving it on farther than designed. I think that trimming the ends of the hose would help a bit.

New unified hose installed. It fits pretty well (would be better with some trimming) and has a nice grommet that connects to the left hand radiator mount. I had to use a longer bolt due to the added thickness of the rubber (it isn't bolted up in this picture).

I had been holding out for an Up-Tite Y, but got to the breaking point and had to do something. The 2010 unified radiator hose was about $25 from Halls.