Goofy heater hose connections Chevy GMC

[Lynn]

Less than a year ago I replaced the heater hoses on my 04 Yukon XL Denali.
I believe they are the same from 98 through 2014, so there have to be a few million of these out there.

Because it has rear heat/AC, there are extra "T" fittings on each of the heater hoses going into the firewall.

Have a very small drip.

Is there a permanent fix to this goofy-ass setup?

I realize why they designed it this way (assembly line), but stuff like this is really frustrating.

I know there are stainless steel adapters that push on and then you just clamp a heater hose to them.
https://www.amazon.com/UPGRADED-STAINLESS-Heater-Coolant-Connector/dp/B0CP6DQRFJ/ref=asc_df_B0CP6DQRFJ?mcid=edd30aff95c13b44b079ab5 0fc4f21b8&hvocijid=18214299822723696239-B0CP6DQRFJ-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=730434204848&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18214299822723696239&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9026193&hvtargid=pla-2281435178618&psc=1

But, then there is no provisions for plumbing in the rear heat (no "T").

Anyone find a solution?

[Danzo]

Lynn, can you post a picture of the setup?
Doc

[Lynn]

Sure.

The lighter colored white one is the one that started dripping. I don't remember the brand.

Anyone have experience with these?

https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-800-413HP-Connector-Compatible-Chevrolet/dp/B0DKWC5LPK/ref=asc_df_B0DKWC5LPK?mcid=453739944d3e3c2c81a01f8 0b55b7d26&hvocijid=13796742014780926436-B0DKWC5LPK-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=730434204848&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13796742014780926436&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9026200&hvtargid=pla-2281435181018&psc=1

[Lynn]

Anyone use these?

https://www.amazon.com/UPGRADED-STAINLESS-Heater-Coolant-Connector/dp/B0CP6DQRFJ/ref=asc_df_B0CP6DQRFJ?mcid=edd30aff95c13b44b079ab5 0fc4f21b8&hvocijid=4805619119632631266-B0CP6DQRFJ-&hvexpln=73&tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=730434204848&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4805619119632631266&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9026200&hvtargid=pla-2281435178538&psc=1

Surely they would last longer than my plastic replacements.

[Danzo]

In the past I have used a small cut off wheel and a hacksaw blade to completely remove all the plastic from the heater core tubes. With just the aluminum tubes sticking out of the firewall I then slide a heater hose over each tube and clamp. Difficult to see the "tee" setup but possibly move it down the heater hoses and splice in an old fashioned one.
Doc

[Lynn]

I am certain this was designed to make it faster on the assembly line. Just push them on. No need to tighten a clamp.

May do exactly what Doc suggests.

[Rv8er]

I’m an auto mechanic by trade and have done a lot of these.

Do not cut off the aluminum tubes. The tees are for the rear heater and are plastic,I would replace them and get from GM.

The fittings to the engine hoses would work with the ones you have on Amazon. I would recommend new GM hose assemblies though.

Buy some hose fitting release tools from Amazon. Push the fitting tight and install the tool from the rear to remove. Practice on the new ones.

Again, do not cut off the aluminum lines or you will have no way to replace the tees.

GM
69 SS350 Camaro

[Lynn]

Appreciate your response, and I am sure if I bought all new GM parts, I could make this work. Wanted to eliminate the plastic.

I wasn’t comfortable cutting off the tubes at the heater core.

Turns out I was also NOT OK with using the metal adapters I got from Amazon. There is NO WAY to release them once you install them absent some kind of special tool that would need to go behind them. Can you imagine being on the road and one of the plastic “T” fittings breaks loose? No thanks.

After pulling the plastic adapters that go to the “T” fittings (also plastic) I decided to pull off all the plastic pieces.

I ended up purchasing two brass “T” fittings 3/4 x 3/4 x 1/2.
That meant I had to cut the factory ½ inch heater hoses for the rear heater. Used a mini tubing cutter. Bought a foot of ½ inch heater hose. Bought a couple of 3/4 couplings.

It was not easy sliding the 3/4 heater hose onto the heater core fittings because of the big lip that the factory “T” fittings attach to. But, after heating the ends of the hoses, and using a little lube, I was able to get them on. Used traditional worm gear style clamps.

BTW, the two T fittings just disintegrated when I removed them, so they were about to go anyway. I am certain the brass will outlast the plastic.

Peace of mind.

Tried to post pics. Getting a message that says that function is not currently working.
Will try again tomorrow evening.