OK through all my searching I see many discussions about how no one can find the tool to disconnect these hoses, that the quick disconnect fails often and should be gotten rid of, etc... but no where could I find simply how to disconnect it? Anyone?

 

did you try one of these....
I know they work on the fuel lines

[IMG]local://upfiles/17388/3A0C3C9489304BB69A676986FAFA9F5C.jpg[/IMG]

 

I was directed to something similar to those at Checker but I didn't buy them because it only said fuel and brake hoses. What does it do, wrap around the hose then slide under the soft metal clips then pull back?

 

Yes in straddles the line, you slide it down (press hard)and it compresses the clips and you pull the line out, but the heater hose looks like you just compress the tabs and pull it out.
I never jacked with mine on my 97 because I didnt want it to leak....

 

Exactly what in2pro said....squeeze the black tabs and pull the line out. The black clips will come out with the line. It may help you to blow some compressed air in to clear any debris. If you can't get it, try spraying some WD-40 in there to lube it up a little. If you do....clean the WD-40 off of the rubber lines when you get it apart so it doesn't eat the rubber.

I have has to unscrew the nipple from the intake while the line was still attached once, but I don't recommend doing that as they break easily

If all else fails, rip the plastic clips out to get it apart then go to your local jobber to find a repair kit for it in the HELP! section.

 

i had something that looked like that on the top of the block of my 1995 Tahoe, the antifreeze / water corroded / ate it into a white / green mushy powder lol, i couldn't get it out, so I drilled it out, then retapped it then added a hose thing to it,sorry, I don't remember much more it was like 5 years ago...