Unbelievably cheap DIY radiator hose clip

[payohtea]

So I'm replacing my expansion tank the other day, and manage (dont ask how please..) to lose the lower hose clip. Like any netizen, I hopped online to see what had already been done in the way of quick and dirty retaining clips. Many of the posts I found were old news, and apparently at some point in the past it wasn't quite so easy to just hop on amazon and buy one. All that has changed now and they are pretty easy to find, but at what cost? The local parts store here sells the dorman variant for, get this, 29.00! The same which can be ordered on amazon for 5-6 bucks. So I went ahead and ordered three just to be safe heh, but damnit I wanted my car on the road now! So, I started rummaging around the house, and holy smokes... I found one! The initial source material was *almost* ready to go as it was and only required minimal tooling with a pair of vice grips and some needle nose... And the end result works *perfectly* and looks almost identical to the originals. What was this amazing find? Bulldog clips, of the large size variety, Dont know what a bulldog clip is? Do a google image search, and look for the non-magnetic, black and springy metal type. You'll know em when you see em. I checked on amazon how much you could pick some up for. Try 36 count for 10 bucks. Each one has two clips attached... SEVENTY TWO CLIPS for 10 bucks and a little elbow grease. BMW on a budget baby.
!

[BMWCCA1]

[payohtea]

Quite obviously the wrong one. It quite clearly says the non-magnetic, black and springy metal type. To call the post worthless is naive at best.\

[payohtea]

Happy? Its coming back to me now why I lurk and dont participate. Like, by the description in my post someone who has actually dealt with these clips would instantly see what I was talking about. If you cant see it, you either lack imagination or just drop the 5 bills or whatever to have someone do the job for you. Good day.

[dtla1]

Originally Posted by payohtea

Happy? Its coming back to me now why I lurk and dont participate. Like, by the description in my post someone who has actually dealt with these clips would instantly see what I was talking about. If you cant see it, you either lack imagination or just drop the 5 bills or whatever to have someone do the job for you. Good day.

Gotta put on my glasses and adjust them tightly to my face while I say "Actshualllyyyy...... " Bulldog clips are a trademarked name of the ones with the curved surfaces that push on the flat section according to wiki.

The picture you shared is of a "Binder Clip".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bulldog_clip

BTW, this is to be taken lightly, and shouldn't add to your reasons of continuing to lurk. Most of the people here are pretty chill, just gotta have some fun once in a while.

[BMWCCA1]

I was really just trying to see what modification you made to make it work for you. Your contribution is appreciated. The full import of what you have to offer might be lost on most without some graphic enlightenment. Or not.

[payohtea]

..since I installed the home made clip, and have done some "stress testing" to see if it will hold, and so far so good. Below are some pics to better show what the hell I am talking about.


This is one clip variant, as purchased off of Amazon


This is the unmodified binder clip half


This is a modified binder clip, similar to what I am using


This is the Dorman 800-019 Cooling System Retaining Clip

[payohtea]

Its been like 3 weeks or a month now, and what can I say? My cheap-o improvised clip is doing the job nicely. No slippage, no leackage...

[///Makis]

Originally Posted by payohtea

Its been like 3 weeks or a month now, and what can I say? My cheap-o improvised clip is doing the job nicely. No slippage, no leackage...

That's awesome, I'm going to have to buy a set of these in case I ever drop a clip and need to modify one. You can probably clip a few to the carpet around the trunk to keep for a rainy day.

29$ is insane for a stainless steel bent piece of metal 🤮.

[desmo900]

Do you have a pic of it installed?