Pontiac Repair: heater hose replacement, plastic pipes, hose replacement

Question
Hi Todd, Got a 97' Grand Am Quad, 146k. While replacing the heater hose assembly I got hung up on one of the hoses. I'll bet you know which one. I ran a search for a Pontiac quick disconnect tool but couldn't figure out which was the right one. Some of them are pretty spendy so I wanted to ask you what is the correct tool for this job. Or if you can offer a tip as to remove the quick connect / disconnect hose without buying a special tool. Also do you recommend cutting off this connection and returning to regular hose and clamp? Much appreciated.

Answer
Hi Steven:

You shouldn't need a special tool to take that hose off the pipe. It just has 2 tabs you squeeze on the clip push up on the hose and then give it a quick pull and it should slide of the pipe. If not try twisting the hose back and forth a few times to frr eth clip up on the pipe. JUST BE CAREFUL if you twist the hose around to much you may wind up breaking one of the plastic pipes for the heater core thye get brittel over time.. Cutting the hose off the pipe and using plain heater hose I don't think will work. I think the pipe is an odd size and the hose will not fit on it. Good luck :)