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What the GM 9076033 outlet hose does

The Coolant Radiator Outlet Hose for Chevrolet Cruze 1.8L 2011-2016 (GM 9076033) replaces the factory outlet hose on the 1.8L Ecotec engine, RPO codes LUW and LWE, for model years 2011 through 2016. It runs from the radiator's lower-outlet port to the water pump inlet and moves the largest coolant volume in the circuit: 18-22 GPM at 3,500 RPM with the thermostat open.

The part is a three-layer EPDM hose rated from -40°F to +275°F (-40°C to +135°C), with burst pressure above 150 psi at peak thermal load. It meets SAE J20R4 Class D-1 and SAE J1684, and it runs with GM Dex-Cool, 2026-spec Dex-Cool UltraLife, and OAT/HOAT coolants meeting ASTM D3306 and GM 6277M.

Related parts live in the engine cooling collection if you need to cover the rest of the system.

Fitment: which Cruze it fits

GM 9076033 is a direct fit for both 1.8L Ecotec variants: LUW (North America) and LWE (global). That covers 2011 through 2015 plus the 2016 Cruze Limited, which kept the Gen 1 platform and the LUW engine.

It does not fit the redesigned 2016 Cruze Gen 2, which runs the 1.4L LE2 turbo with a different cooling circuit. Check the 8th digit of your VIN: H is the 1.8L LUW (compatible), M is the 1.4L LE2 (not compatible).

The hose cross-references to GM P/N 55574625 and 25193687, plus ACDelco 25162L. For the same application as a pre-built unit, see the 9076033 Radiator Outlet Hose Assembly for Chevrolet Cruze 2011 2012-2016 1.8L.

Specification table

All values come from the GM 9076033 product data, set against a typical single-layer aftermarket hose and the 2026 OEM target under the SAE J20 draft.

Three-layer construction

The GM 9076033 spec calls for a three-layer composite aligned with SAE J20R4 Class D-1 (2025 revision) and the SAE J20-2026 working draft. Basic aftermarket hoses are one or two EPDM layers over polyester.

Layer 1: inner liner

High-acrylonitrile EPDM with 45% ACN content, optimized for electrochemical degradation resistance (ECR) per ASTM D746. That matters with modern OAT coolants, because 2026 Dex-Cool UltraLife runs elevated carboxylate levels that attack ordinary liners.

Layer 2: reinforcement ply

Aramid/para-aramid knit (Kevlar®-grade) in a 2-over-2 twill weave, with 52% higher hoop strength than standard polyester. That is what stops the soft-spot collapse you get from single-ply hoses.

Layer 3: outer cover

Heat-stabilized EPDM with an ozone and UV package that passes ASTM D1149 at 200+ hours with no cracking. Underhood temps in the Cruze's tightly packaged transverse engine bay peak above 240°F.

DTC mapping for the outlet hose

The hose sits inside the PCM's thermostat rationality diagnostic. A degraded or collapsed hose produces a false delta-T across the radiator inlet and outlet, so the PCM miscalculates coolant temperature regulation. Under GM's 2026 GDS2 R5.0 protocol (CAN-XL ready), these codes map to the outlet-hose thermal path:

• P0128: Coolant temp below thermostat regulating temperature. A restricted or collapsed hose cuts flow and delays warm-up detection.
• P0117 / P0118 / P0119: ECT sensor circuit low, high, or intermittent. Overheating at the hose-to-radiator junction skews ECT voltage.
• P0597 / P0598 / P0599: Thermostat heater control circuit open, low, or high. Backpressure from a swollen liner stresses the heater element.
• P2181: Cooling system performance. Trips on insufficient radiator heat rejection; a collapsed outlet hose is a top-5 root cause.
• P00B3 / P00B4: Radiator coolant temp sensor range/performance. Fires when the lower-hose ECT reading is implausible next to engine-out ECT.

Fan codes P0480-P0481 tie in indirectly through radiator efficiency. GM's 2026 OBD-II Mode $06 diagnostics also report hose-specific flow-restriction deltas under TID $A2 and CID $1B, which separates a hose fault from a thermostat or sensor fault.

Five early warning signs

These precursors come from the GM TSB database and the NHTSA service bulletin archive for the Cruze 1.8L.

1. Coolant odor in the cabin. Micro-leaks at the hose-to-radiator neck weep onto the hot exhaust manifold.
2. Gauge fluctuation. A ±10°F swing at steady highway cruise points to flow pulsation at the ECT sensor.
3. Cracking at the radiator neck. Ozone and heat cut circumferential cracks within 1 inch of the hose end.
4. Reservoir drop with no visible leak. A degraded liner loses 50-100 mL of vapor per 1,000 miles.
5. Pending P00B3 or P00B4. These codes usually show as pending before the MIL comes on.

Installation: clamps and torque

Per GM Service Bulletin 21-NA-026 (2026 revision), the constant-tension spring clamps at both ends need no torque spec; they self-adjust. The GM-approved numbers are 19130128 (radiator side) and 19130129 (engine/water-pump side).

Worm-gear clamps work but are not recommended. If you use them, torque to 35-40 in-lbs (4.0-4.5 N·m). Past 50 in-lbs the clamp cuts the EPDM cover and ozone cracks follow within 12-18 months.

Parts to check at the same time

The hose is molded to shape and routes one way, so hold it against the old hose end to end before you drain coolant. A collapsed lower hose also loads the radiator tanks, so inspect the core while the system is open. For 2011-2015 cars, the CU13197 aluminium radiator is the matching replacement.

Servicing a 2016-2018 Cruze as well? Our guide to the PXC14 A/C compressor (OEM 39067789) covers the compressor side.

FAQ: fitment, diagnostics, and service life