How often do you replace radiator hoses?

[orezok]

My B7800 is 16 years old. Living in the desert with extreme temperatures, I think it might be time to replace the hoses. I am concerned that I might pop a hose and since I never check the temp gauge I might cook the engine. The hoses, five in total, only cost $35 so why not?

 

[RalphVa]

Eons ago when I was still stupid. Even the one on the 240D Benz that we had to remove to change coolant on was still good at 26 years age and over 215k miles.

Only ever had one rad hose on a 1965 Studebaker Lark blow out.

Ralph

 

[oosik]

I'm in a much more temperate situation than you, OREZOK. Also, I do nothing that would tend to elevate engine temps - at least, in the summer. I bought my previous tractor in 1982 - brand new. It was a Ford 1700. I traded it in on the Kubota - 28 years later. All of the engine coolant hoses were still in excellent shape.

I think you are going in the correct direction. If for no other reason than - peace of mind.

As an alternate - drain the coolant. Pull and carefully inspect the "easiest" hose and see what there is to see. Go from there..........

 

[orezok]

I think I am going to replace. No telling what triple digit temperatures and single digit humidity does to rubber.

 

[ctgoldwing]

I think I am going to replace. No telling what triple digit temperatures and single digit humidity does to rubber.

I the 'risk / reward' test that sounds like the right move!

 

[Mat4644]

If kept outside the sun will age the rubber. Pinch a give them a tug to evaluate elasticity and visual signs of deteriorating.

 

[ovrszd]

All or nothing.

 

[PILOON]

Reminds me of an early episode.
We bought a 13 year old absolutely pristine 'collectable' from an elderly relative that had but 20k miles or so.
Literally only driven on Sundays to visit a distant relative and stored every winter.
Still had dealer paper floor mats.
Had it on a lift and all the underside was still factory paint with absolutely no one spec of rust.

Well I had a local garage change all the hoses as they were really scary soft.

Well he did all but one!
First week out and that one hose burst and sprayed coolant everywhere.

 

[goeduck]

Eons ago when I was still stupid. Even the one on the 240D Benz that we had to remove to change coolant on was still good at 26 years age and over 215k miles.

I got my 83 240D Benz running again after sitting 10 years. Fuel filters and new diesel and it started right up :shocked: I changed the hoses around 2000 so maybe I am good to go for a while.

 

[dodge man]

When I was into classic cars I had a couple of older cars of which I put new hoses on one of them. That might be the only radiator hoses I have ever changed. If I had something older with a lot of hours, I would change them though.

 

[Zebrafive]

I changed them on a JD 2030 at the same time the water pump was rebuilt. Since they had been disturbed, and were off, both got replaced.

 

[orezok]

OP here. Replaced all 5 hoses. All except lower radiator were in excellent condition. Lower radiator felt a little soft. Peace of mind for $35.

But then I was doing the last item of my PM. I was replacing the fuel filter. As I grabbed the cup to unscrew it, it shattered. I guess they only last 16 years . Hello Messicks

 

[Industrial Toys]

I have been shocked at the price of Kubota hoses and simply couldn't see the spending the money when I changed a water pump. Heck, I think it was almost as much as the aftermarket pump!

If your system isn't overheating, I think hoses do last a long time.

 

[RalphVa]

I got my 83 240D Benz running again after sitting 10 years. Fuel filters and new diesel and it started right up :shocked: I changed the hoses around 2000 so maybe I am good to go for a while.

I almost had to throttle my wife to get her to give up her 83 240D. She never did like the Jetta TDI even though it had more than double the power. The 240D was no good in going up Afton mountain. Would do fine if could keep it above 65 mph. Drop below that and you're down to 3rd gear and about 55 mph max until topping the hill. Got a Mazd3 now for last 4 years. She'd still rather have her 240D back. She could see all 4 corners of that car. Cannot see corners of any of the new cars. May be why people like Sorry Utility Vehicles.

 

[ovrszd]

OP here. Replaced all 5 hoses. All except lower radiator were in excellent condition. Lower radiator felt a little soft. Peace of mind for $35.

But then I was doing the last item of my PM. I was replacing the fuel filter. As I grabbed the cup to unscrew it, it shattered. I guess they only last 16 years . Hello Messicks

That's exactly how I do things!!!! Trying to be a nice guy and take care of my baby. Then all Heck breaks loose and I spend twice as much time and money fixing something I touched!!!!

 

[Texasmark]

Eons ago when I was still stupid. Even the one on the 240D Benz that we had to remove to change coolant on was still good at 26 years age and over 215k miles.

Only ever had one rad hose on a 1965 Studebaker Lark blow out.

Ralph

You're dating yourself.....grin.

Back in the late 50's and on for many years, I figured every 2 years on radiator hoses on autos....was an urbanite then.....may-pops, will-pops, and did-pops were common place back then. Maybe they used natural/synthetic rubber then and now use Neoprene. Whatever the concoction, todays do last much longer and as compared to the rough outer surface then, todays are nice and slick....another indication of Neoprene. Along that line, time to change the AF on my 2011 Silverado again. Process is to disconnect lower radiator hose from the engine to drain.....apparently these alum. radiators with plastic caps can't stand to have a drain plug tapped into them.

So, we'll see how the lower hose is holding up.

 

[ovrszd]

I almost had to throttle my wife to get her to give up her 83 240D. She never did like the Jetta TDI even though it had more than double the power. The 240D was no good in going up Afton mountain. Would do fine if could keep it above 65 mph. Drop below that and you're down to 3rd gear and about 55 mph max until topping the hill. Got a Mazd3 now for last 4 years. She'd still rather have her 240D back. She could see all 4 corners of that car. Cannot see corners of any of the new cars. May be why people like Sorry Utility Vehicles.

I've learned to be very careful in dictating a vehicle for my Bride to drive. Actually I've evolved to the point of not doing such. She absolutely loves her current vehicle. It's 10 years old with 170K miles. I dread the day when we hafta put it out to pasture. We've not had any serious breakdowns. But there's always some small thing wrong with it. Right now the check engine light is on. Some MDS sensor is bad. Runs fine. Just has light on. Will cost $300 to fix. Nope, not even discussing trading.....

 

[ovrszd]

You're dating yourself.....grin.

Back in the late 50's and on for many years, I figured every 2 years on radiator hoses on autos....was an urbanite then.....may-pops, will-pops, and did-pops were common place back then. Maybe they used natural/synthetic rubber then and now use Neoprene. Whatever the concoction, todays do last much longer and as compared to the rough outer surface then, todays are nice and slick....another indication of Neoprene. Along that line, time to change the AF on my 2011 Silverado again. Process is to disconnect lower radiator hose from the engine to drain.....apparently these alum. radiators with plastic caps can't stand to have a drain plug tapped into them.

So, we'll see how the lower hose is holding up.

I think the Anti-freeze of today contributes to better life span of hoses as well.

 

[merlynr]

original hoses on 97 F250 but only 112k mi.

 

[goeduck]

She'd still rather have her 240D back. She could see all 4 corners of that car. Cannot see corners of any of the new cars.

That is very true of that car. Perfect balance as well. The last set of tires had 139,000 miles on them when replaced and were still legal tread-wise (just barely). The car could not go around corners fast enough to wear the tires and it certainly could not spin the rear tires.