Radiator hose replacement

[JDgreen227]

How often do the truck owners here replace their radiator hoses? My Y2K GMC, with only 38,000 miles, still has the OEM set, although the coolant was was drained, flushed, and refilled almost 5 years ago. The hoses still look good, likely because of the low mileage and also because mid-Michigan rarely gets intense heat. I will probably replace them this fall, when I do the second coolant flush and refill, but have to wonder if I am throwing money away. Don't laugh, I only put 85 miles on the truck last month...odds are it will outlast me. If the hoses still look good, and pass the visual and squeeze tests, would you replace yours? Thanks for your opinions.

 

[timswi]

How often do the truck owners here replace their radiator hoses? My Y2K GMC, with only 38,000 miles, still has the OEM set, although the coolant was was drained, flushed, and refilled almost 5 years ago. The hoses still look good, likely because of the low mileage and also because mid-Michigan rarely gets intense heat. I will probably replace them this fall, when I do the second coolant flush and refill, but have to wonder if I am throwing money away. Don't laugh, I only put 85 miles on the truck last month...odds are it will outlast me. If the hoses still look good, and pass the visual and squeeze tests, would you replace yours? Thanks for your opinions.

I haven't replaced those until around 130K on my last 2 Chevy P/U's and they still seemed OK....That kind of stuff seems to last forever nowadays

 

[Soundguy]

i don't do it at a specific interval.. but if I replace my serpentine belt, I do hoses and coolant.

any time i see a cracked / worn belt or bulged hose I do the same.

soundguy

 

[Diamondpilot]

I haven't replaced those until around 130K on my last 2 Chevy P/U's and they still seemed OK....That kind of stuff seems to last forever nowadays

I am with you. Last set I changed were on my 1986 Toyota truck with 160,000 miles just because they were looking bad around 1996. The old Ford and GMC dump trucks I drive have hoses I would bet that are 25 years old.

I have not changed a single hose on my last 25 or so vehicles.

You can change them for piece of mind but that would really be the only reason unless leaking or getting hard and brittle.

Chris

 

[tractorboy5500]

New vehicles have good quality hoses on them from the factory, if you do replace them, I would make sure you put good quality hoses back on or you might be installing new hoses that could wear out faster than the ones that was on there. Might cost a little more, you can buy them from the dealership.

 

[WH401]

Unless they need it, I just leave them be.

 

[JDgreen227]

Unless they need it, I just leave them be.

By "need it" I assume you will replace yours when they split, burst, or otherwise start leaking. I prefer to replace things BEFORE they reach the failing point. Seems to me investing $35 on a pair of hoses is cheap insurance, considering a tow woud cost a lot more than $35, plus what are the odds the place you were towed to would have the hose you need, and be able to replace it when you arrived there? Sorry, I don't want to chance something like that.

 

[Elviscaretaker]

Always inspect them when servicing. Since you drive so little I'd check maybe twice a year. BUT, if they are not cracking or showing any signs of drying out you are fine to leave them. Some hoses will look fine and not be, so if you are concerned, just swap them out next flush and go with peace of mind. It's only money and not that much to boot.
On my Ford's, the "fittings" tend to fail before the hoses. Not a great design.

 

[Soundguy]

ditto that. IMHO.. while I like to get the last mile out of a part.. I don't push it till it's broke down if I can help it.

wen hoses bulge.. they get replaced. when belts fray, or ribs crack, or they otherwise look bad.. they get replaced..

soundguy

 

[Ryan03]

I do not replace them unless inspection results warrant it. When I do rarely encounter a deficiant hose, it is normaly due to being rubbed thin on chassis or body components, as well as engine compartment brackets etc. The heater hoses seem to be the most common ones that I find fault with, followed by lower rad hoses.

In an average week, I perform 6 or so PM services on a very wide range of vehicles and equipment, and I usualy replace a half dozen or fewer hoses per year.

 

[not2old]

In 21 years and 415,000 KM I've replaced my lower ones(2) twice while changing water pumps because they are very difficult to do with the pump in place. I patched the top hose with tape when it leaked at about 350,000 KM and then changed it when it was convenient

 

[dstig1]

Wife's '99 Explorer has 185k on it, original hoses. I replaced the Serp belt around 80k, and I think it could stand to be replaced again. I check the hoses every now and then. No bulges or cracks, still soft and pliable. If you want the peace of mind, go swap them, but I'd say you are no where near needing to be concerned about it.

'98 Civic 165k and '05 F250 45k are also on original hoses. I did the belts on the civic when I did the timing belt and water pump at 125k when I bought it (interference engine - you don't want the timing belt breaking). Water pump was PM at that age as it is driven by the timing belt so you are right there already, plus if it leaks/seizes, it will take out the timing belt.