When to change hoses?

[schwartr88]

I have an 02 sonoma with the original hoses still on it. I looked online for when to change the hoses and found clashing arguments. One website said to change them when they feel soft, and another said when they feel brittle/hard.

My hoses are soft and squishy. About 3 months ago, a trusted mechanic said they were just fine and replacing them would be a waste. Right now Im planning on replacing them at the 150k tuneup, but just wanted someother opinions.

 

[Hootbro]

Thing about coolant hoses is they wear and fail from the inside out. With 150K, it would be cheap insurance to replace them and do a coolant flush.

 

[Chris Meutsch]

Agreed. I replaced mine on my 2001 Civic after 85k, which was this past April.

 

[schwartr88]

Right now I have 99.7k miles and have already make my 150k tuneup list (its pretty extensive). The rad/heater hoses are first on the list. Ill check them periodically untill then.

 

[Ken4]

IMO I'd say oem rubber hoses should be good for at least 6 years. Maximum you could stretch it probably 10 years.

 

[MC5W20]

I replaced the hoses on a 1993 oldsmobile in January. The car still had the original oem hoses on it. I figured since I had to pull them off to do some work might as well replace them. When all the work was done I split the old hoses and checked them, they still had lots of life in them. And these things were 13+ years old, car has a 92 manufacture date.

If your doing the work yourself then replace the hoses as they are cheap and peace of mind will result. If you have to pay for the work then don't worry about it as the hoses are fine.

 

[labman]

Rubber parts just don't last forever. Some get hard and brittle. Others get spongy. Is the middle of the hose swelled up bigger than the ends past the clamps? Bad sign if so. Radiator hoses are cheap and usually not too much of a job to replace. They can suddenly fail in very inconvenient times and places. Perhaps timely replacements has helped allow me to avoid tows for a long time.

If the 150K tune up is in a year or 2, it may be soon enough.

Edited to say, I think a car will run further without oil than water.

 

[ConfederateTyrant]

I replaced my upper and lower hoses after 10 years and 103,000 miles on my 95 Grand Marquis. Both hoses had no cracks, swells, or holes, I just did it for peace of mind. I figured every 100,000 miles is a safe interval, with inspection every month or so.

 

[brianl703]

When the radiator goes.

 

[Kestas]

I do it every 100K or 10 years, whichever comes first.

Years back I used to do it every 50K, but materials have markedly improved.

 

[johnd]

Interesting, I've had more than one person tell me they changed the hoses out every 2 years. I have GE "HI Miler" hoses on everything but the oil cooler. I havent't determined a lifetime on them yet but on the others I go 3 years. It is cheap insurance and, considering summers here, probably prudent. Cooling systems take a beating in Texas and underhood temps are a lot higher than they used to be. In my wife's new Honda, the Catalytic converter stands up straight in the engine compartment between the radiator and the engine.

 

[Kestas]

quote:

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Originally posted by johnd:
Interesting, I've had more than one person tell me they changed the hoses out every 2 years...

---

They probably only work on their own cars. When you take care of 7 cars for friends and family, you learn to tone down the level of how anal to get with cars. Changing out radiator hoses very 2 years would make me unneccesarily busy and get expensive for others.

Then again, this may be needed in Texas.

 

[HardbodyLoyalist]

If hoses go bad from dry rot, they get brittle.

If they go bad from oil contamination, they get soft and spongy.

I'm also a 100k hose changer. But that's ALL HOSES at 100k: coolant, heater, fuel, vacuum, brake line, etc.

 

[surfstar]

I've had two leaks in my upper rad hose, both near the hose clamp, so that hose lasts somewhere between 2-6 years. I've replaced my lower rad hose as PM. One of my heater hoses just started to leak a couple weeks ago, so I replaced both.
Car is a '93 with 197k miles. I think 150k miles is a good replacement time for all hoses if they make it that far.

 

[hotrat]

before they fail.

 

[oily boyd]

May I suggest: pick one easy-to-change hose and then change it.

You should then cut the old hose across its entire length.

Bend the hose to see if there are any striations in the "length" direction on the inside of the hose.

If you decide not to replace, you will have to choose a different hose for your next inspection.

This is what I do, your mileage may vary.

 

[javacontour]

I have a good shop I go to, and they said they seldom change hoses anymore, the quality of the hoses has improved so much that many times, unless they are scuffed or are rubbing on something else, they usually last the life of the car.

I've asked the to change them on a couple cars since I just didn't want to hassle with it, and they said they recommended against it.

I've yet to have a hose break in the 10 years I've used them for things I didn't want to hassle with.

 

[labman]

Could be. Haven't paid much attention to the hoses on my 02 Cavalier with 80K. Still enjoying the freedom for hassle of a new car. I think I did my truck last year. Could be replacements from AA or AZ don't last as long as modern OEM.

 

[ebc]

Good thread. What kind of pliers works well on those constant pressure clamps that come on newer cars? Those things can be a bear!
Regards,
ebc

 

[JAYCEE]

I just replaced the original hoses on an 89 Mazda pickup. Yeah, they needed replacing.