Radiator hose failure

[HoosierJeeper]

Thought people here would find this interesting. Had a Napa EPDM hose fail on my Liberty yesterday. Would estimate it's about 8-10 years old, probably 80k miles. Only warning I had was in the past month or so, I'd notice a drip about the size of a dime of coolant if it sat for more than a week. I fiddled with the clamp (factory spring type) and it stopped leaking, so didn't think much more of it. Hose didn't look bulged or anything. Was driving on the highway yesterday and it burst, engine bay got a steam clean I suppose. Replaced it with a dayco hose, did it on the side of the road.

Are aftermarket hoses that bad? The heater core hoses are still OEM, part of me says I need to replace those ASAP after this, but then the other part of me thinks OEM hoses are still superior. Going to at least check out the lower radiator hose since that was the same age as the upper one that blew.

 

[Highboy]

I’d keep an eye on your front brake hoses. I had an 02 Liberty and had both go out a few months apart.

 

[benjamming]

Why was the hose replaced originally?

 

[JMJNet]

Quality of parts are very bad nowadays.
You just have to check the hoses or any other parts to replace as it goes bad.

 

[cptbarkey]

I've seen oil leaks damage other hoses to failure, what is that smaller hose on top of the failed radiator hose?

 

[supton]

It's been years since I had one go bad... and it was only one, but I neglected to fix a fuel leak and it degraded a small coolant line (diesel fuel). Had that car for 11 years (>300k) and all the other hoses were original. My '99 Camry went to the boneyard a year ago with all original hoses too. All that to ask, why was it replaced in the first place? I thought hoses were all but lifetime now.

 

[ls1mike]

I have personally never seen one fail like this. Did it ever get hot before this?

 

[clinebarger]

Looks swollen to me, Bet you could see it with some pressure? The flared ends are a giveaway as well.

 

[ripcord]

What a spectacular blowout. Probably preferred to a smaller leak that goes unnoticed until the temp gauge is pegged.

 

[dishdude]

Are one of the head gaskets leaking compression gases into the cooling system? I'm old, but young enough that I've never heard of a radiator hose failing.

 

[joegreen]

I would keep all the other hoses original if they look like they are in good condition. Or you can price out oem hoses. Sometimes they are cheaper than you expect.

 

[Chris142]

Replace the radiator cap

 

[Lubener]

I would also change the cap and make sure the head gasket didn't send additional pressure into the cooling system.. That hose looks swollen and should have been changed a while ago.

 

[SHOZ]

I put a pressure gauge in my cooling system once and watched as the fan cycled due to temp. Just before the fan came on at around 204F the pressure would rise to around 18 psi (19 psi cap) and then drop to 14 psi or so when the fan turned off.

I've never seen a hose blow out like that.

 

[HoosierJeeper]

I’d keep an eye on your front brake hoses. I had an 02 Liberty and had both go out a few months apart.

Good tip!

Why was the hose replaced originally?

Just to avoid this happening. Did it with a radiator replacement.

I've seen oil leaks damage other hoses to failure, what is that smaller hose on top of the failed radiator hose?

Goes from the rad to overflow tank

It's been years since I had one go bad... and it was only one, but I neglected to fix a fuel leak and it degraded a small coolant line (diesel fuel). Had that car for 11 years (>300k) and all the other hoses were original. My '99 Camry went to the boneyard a year ago with all original hoses too. All that to ask, why was it replaced in the first place? I thought hoses were all but lifetime now.

Just to replace them. Plan on keeping this forever. Thought OEM hoses have a lifespan.

I have personally never seen one fail like this. Did it ever get hot before this?

Never.

Replace the radiator cap

Radiator cap is probably 5 years old OEM.

 

[Chris142]

Radiator cap is probably 5 years old OEM.

Does not mean its good

 

[HoosierJeeper]

Does not mean its good

True. The OEM one I got was NOS, I have a stant one I bought new while I waited for the OEM one. Any good brands?

 

[Chris142]

True. The OEM one I got was NOS, I have a stant one I bought new while I waited for the OEM one. Any good brands?

Not anymore. Mororad bought out stant and killed the brand off.

 

[ripcord]

NOS is probably not the best source for rubber products.

 

[Donald]

I think there is more to the story than just this hose was a poor quality hose from NAPA. Something was spilled on the hose? Over pressure in the cooling system.