[mike16]

it is needed. It does stop the lower hose from collapsing. it used to be they came with the hose. No longer. But they are needed. more so if you have a hi volume water pump. the presumption that a clogged radiator can be cured by a spring in the hose? presumes that the radiator is clogged. but new vehicles comming off the assembly line dont usually have a clogged radiator. I think that guy on Marti got it wrong. It is needed. the vaccuum generated by the Pump should be suckin fluid. not collapsing a lower hose. Just because a system works under pressure of any amount does not preclude it from generating a vacuum. all there really has to be is a difference in pressure. after all a clogged system working under 15 psi will create a vacuum but a clean system working under the same pressure does not? new fiziks?

yes they rust too. funny that.... but one solution is to get some .041 stainless safety wire. about 12 feet of it and double it over and twist it good and tight like with safety wire pliers. your 12 foot single strand doubled over becomes a 6 foot strand. twist that with a set of pliers or safety wire pliers and it will reduce in length further. then wrap it around a piece of pipe or broom handle slide it inside that lower hose and release it and it will expand to fit tightly inside the hose. Its stainless so it wont rust away and disappear.