When to replace radiator hoses?

[GemStater]

Right! I thought about trimming and reworking the top hose to make it work but the decided against it. I shouldn't have to do that.

On another note, I was able to remove the inner coil spring from the original lower hose and reinstall into the new hose. Wonder how many people throw away the old hose with spring still inside? If the engineers thought it was worth the added trouble/expense, it's going back in.

 

[The Critic]

Update: I've purchased and received the following hoses:

Dayco #72447 - $27.79 - Upper
Dayco #72019 - $7.76 - Lower

My finding is that the lower hose is a fairly close match to the original. At of cost of only $7.76, I think it's worth keeping. The upper hose leaves a lot to be desired as far as matching the original contours. This is the hose that's seen most often so it will stick out like a sore thumb when fitment isn't a close match. That matters to me. It's also the easiest hose in terms of monitoring for potential problems. So I'm considering returning the upper Dayco hose as I don't think it worth it's price of $27.79 and will continue running the original upper hose. Another factor is that radiator cap that came with the upper hose is rated at 20 PSI while the original is rated at 18 PSI. Getting a new cap with the new hose was part of the purchasing decision but that too fell a little short of expectations. I find it a bit absurd that AutoZone wants $82.99 for this hose while Amazon has it for $55.03. The original can be purchased from the Mopar dealer for $61.88. If I find the original hose is not going to make it, I'll go Genuine Mopar New for the upper.

Unfortunately, this is par for the course. Aftermarket radiator hoses rarely fit well. If you plan to use the Dayco hose for the lower, the original spring clamps may not fit.

 

[Kira]

You'd think a reinforcement wire/spring was part of the design if a spring was in your old hose.

Can't drop your guard for a moment.

 

[JHZR2]

I run vehicles with great quality hoses that are over 30 years old.

 

[The_Jeff]

Right! I thought about trimming and reworking the top hose to make it work but the decided against it. I shouldn't have to do that.

I remember, 25 years ago, buying a hose at NAPA with two bends in the middle and instructions to trim as necessary. It covered multiple part numbers. They don't seem to do that much anymore...

 

[burbguy82]

I have a 1986 GM truck, with factory original upper and lower hoses.

 

[willbur]

I run vehicles with great quality hoses that are over 30 years old.

Mine are just 22 and 18 yo. I monitor coolant vDC if it's below 0.1-0.2 I keep them in. EPDM hose lasts a long time and the primary mechanism for their degradation is ECD (according to Gates)and bad grounds followed by oil, imo. YMMV. Opinions?

 

[SC Maintenance]

I replaced the top hose in the Xterra when I had the rad out anyway. It was hard as a rock. That hose had been changed not all that long ago really, maybe 7 or 8 years.

If I ever do it again I will go back to OEM. Goodyear used to make excellent aftermarket hoses until they sold it to Continental. Last Continental hose didn't fit at all - looked like the one pictured above.

 

[willbur]

I run vehicles with great quality hoses that are over 30 years old.

Are those "great quality hoses" silicone or EPDM? Silicone does handle high temperature stress the best so thermal cycling affects them less, another killer of hoses

 

[Dborch41]

I remember, 25 years ago, buying a hose at NAPA with two bends in the middle and instructions to trim as necessary. It covered multiple part numbers. They don't seem to do that much anymore...

I remember taking my old hoses to the parts store and just hold them up against the new hoses they had on the shelves then pick the ones that were the closest. That or buy a universal bellows-style hose, not many uses for one of those anymore.

 

[JHZR2]

Are those "great quality hoses" silicone or EPDM? Silicone does handle high temperature stress the best so thermal cycling affects them less, another killer of hoses

Surely EPDM. From vehicles built to last, from a different time.

 

[zzyzzx]

Turns out the new cap was defective and the system was losing coolant. Was a lot of problems trying to prevent future problems.

Motorad branded?

 

[Leo99]

Motorad branded?

Stant

 

[Dave P.]

Years ago on a 2002 Honda Cr-V that was going to the dealer for a recall repair, I asked that they also change the two radiator hoses.
There was nothing visibly wrong, I just figured it was time. The dealer told me they didn't recommend changing those hoses. My biggest shock was that a dealer was being so honest and turning down work that a customer was actually asking to have done. I never changed them and they lasted 160,000 miles until the car got totalled in an accident.

 

[JackWildfeuer]

26 years old and coolant is drained and you are considering keeping them? No way do it now! It a new radiator cap as well.

You are correct 99% of after market radiator hoses do not fit as well as the OEM origanal I find this is especially true when talking about a Toyota made in Japan vs one made in the USA!

Try to get them from the same supplier that supplied MOPAR.

I had a 2001 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab 4x4 4.7L V8 with towing and wheel package. I haggled them down from an insane $42K to $25,500. It was my first brand new vechile. 45RFE transmission. The only option it did not have was the home link garage door opener. It was two tone Dark Metalic Blue with Gray. I still miss that truck.

 

[boom10ful]

The expansion tank on our 16 YO BMW blew and I replaced it this past week. Some of our "immortal" and factory original EDPM hoses were definitely bulging, starting to crack, and no longer trustworthy. So I replaced them. I always liked Gates, but the new Gates top hose started leaking at the factory rubber/plastic joint. So this brand new Gates hose goes back and a BMW hose will replace it. Should have learned when Gates belts' quality declined the hoses were soon to follow.

I've had bad luck recently with their radiator hoses and water pumps. Don't think I'll be using them again.

 

[AdmiralYoda]

On a 26 year old vehicle I wouldn't change them just to change them, but considering you are draining the coolant and performing service on the coolant system...now is 100% the time. Buy OEM if you can. But new aftermarket is still probably better than 26 year old OEM.

 

[SShooterZ]

On a 26 year old vehicle I wouldn't change them just to change them, but considering you are draining the coolant and performing service on the coolant system...now is 100% the time. Buy OEM if you can. But new aftermarket is still probably better than 26 year old OEM.

I tend to agree with this approach. Especially since hoses aren't a huge expense normally either.

 

[dlundblad]

They’re definitely unpredictable. I have a 1992 Silverado with originals. It is fine. I paid extra for AC Delco hoses for my Blazer… a heater hose failed at 6 years old.

 

[Mazomopar]

My time to replace them is when they come up on the rock auto closeout list. Last time got an $85 set for $13.