Radiator hose life expectancy?
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 35
Radiator hose life expectancy?
This is in 1989 F250 -
I was flushing its radiator coolant this summer and when I put the lower hose back on, it was kind of leaking at one clamp. (The one towards the engine). The clamps are built into the hose. I thought I tightened it. It seemed like that metal clamp was a bit disintegrating. Then I tightened it some more and thus far, no leaks.
This is a relatively low mileage truck but I was wondering what the life expectancy of radiator hoses is. This is a 15 year old truck, so should I replace the lower radiator hose preemptively? It is a $25 part. Does the rubber just come apart after a certain number of years?
I was flushing its radiator coolant this summer and when I put the lower hose back on, it was kind of leaking at one clamp. (The one towards the engine). The clamps are built into the hose. I thought I tightened it. It seemed like that metal clamp was a bit disintegrating. Then I tightened it some more and thus far, no leaks.
This is a relatively low mileage truck but I was wondering what the life expectancy of radiator hoses is. This is a 15 year old truck, so should I replace the lower radiator hose preemptively? It is a $25 part. Does the rubber just come apart after a certain number of years?
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 2
From: S/C Texas
I really dont know the life of a hose. But I can tell you I was supprised when I found out the inside of the hose is usualy what causes a failure. The hose is more than likely far worse on the inside than the outside.
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 35
Interesting.
I am going to keep this one a while longer, but I think it will need replacement within a year. Just a guess. Anybody does pre-emptive replacement, before you loose all the coolant?
I am going to keep this one a while longer, but I think it will need replacement within a year. Just a guess. Anybody does pre-emptive replacement, before you loose all the coolant?
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 1,673
Likes: 0
From: Chicago Area
Yeah, "soft parts" replacement is a regular maintenance item on vehicles that achieve high mileage. Believe me, you don't want to "lose all the coolant". And as Peppy said, they're always worse on the inside.
Life of hoses varies greatly, but they're too cheap to take a chance on. I wouldn't want to go much over 4 years or 80,000 miles. And I'd be less inclined to extend the time limit than the mileage limit.
Life of hoses varies greatly, but they're too cheap to take a chance on. I wouldn't want to go much over 4 years or 80,000 miles. And I'd be less inclined to extend the time limit than the mileage limit.
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 35
I am at 14 years and 84,000 miles. Not exactly high mileage, but I hear that rubber goes bad after a while, though don't know at what rate.
I guess that qualifies for replacement using your criteria....
I guess that qualifies for replacement using your criteria....
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 35
I think I am going to swap it. Is there any way to recover all the coolant I loose? Put it in a bucket and then back in the radiator?
The coolant is not too old - I flushed it this summer.
The coolant is not too old - I flushed it this summer.
Trending Topics
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 262
Likes: 0
When you open the stopcock to drain it, run a hose into a clean bucket. Then use the bucket when you pull the lower hose, and dump it back in. Have fun.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
Hotshot
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,826
Likes: 2,609
From: The Shenandoah Valley
I have a '77 F150 bought in 1986 with 35,xxx miles. I put a larger F-250 or 350 radiator speced for the 400, thicker core in about 1987 when I added AC. I put new hoses on upper & lower then. I replaced the heater hoses in 2004 prior to a trip south and marked them. Truck has 106,xxx on it. I probably have a more than 50% coolant with distilled water mix. All OK.
Scope Wizard
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,530
Likes: 25
Gates says change Hoses and belts every 4 years.... I tend to agree with them... after 5 years you are living on borrowed time... 
https://www.gatestechzone.com/en/installation/hoses
https://www.gatestechzone.com/en/installation/hoses
Moderator
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 6,104
Likes: 384
From: Southern California
I'm not a fan of gates products....low quality line....they will do/last just what they are suppose to and that's it.....I run Goodyear for 30 years or MC or AC Delco...….I plan on replacing every 5 years but, I typically get 15-30 years out of the belts/hoses.
Scope Wizard
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 6,530
Likes: 25
while there's no set life span on a Hose ... All manufactures seem to agree with Gates, I guess that is why it is recommended to get a new vehicle every 3 years as it sure cuts down on Maintenance costs don't it
But of course they would tell you that as they only want to sell more vehicles
While I use Goodyear belts, I've never had issues with Quality Gates hoses in the past 50 years or more
But of course they would tell you that as they only want to sell more vehicles
While I use Goodyear belts, I've never had issues with Quality Gates hoses in the past 50 years or more
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 21,253
Likes: 1,656
From: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
I'm finding more and more often new Motorcraft parts readily available all over the internerd---Amazon and FleaBay being my two biggest sources. I'm pretty much OFF the RockAuto bandwagon but do use their site to obtain Motorcraft part numbers.
Apart from hoses being routed too close to moving parts I've had no failures due poor quality or age but I don't shop by price so maybe that's one reason I'm "lucky" that way?
Apart from hoses being routed too close to moving parts I've had no failures due poor quality or age but I don't shop by price so maybe that's one reason I'm "lucky" that way?
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
mo76
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
7
Dec 2, 2013 10:03 PM
