Notices
6.2L V8 Discuss the 6.2L V8

Coolant/radiator hoses

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 12, 2026 | 12:11 PM
  #1  
stever1000's Avatar
stever1000
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 74
Likes: 26
Coolant/radiator hoses

How are the coolant/radiator hoses on these engines? I have a low mileage 2012 6.2L and I am wondering if people have found these to be long lasting with age? I look for signs like brittleness, cracks at ends, oil soaked, swollen, etc but other than these, should I replace the hoses due to age? This year they are 14 years old and I have a big road trip coming up. The hoses aren't cheap, but could be cheap insurance for a big trip?

I tried searching and didn't find much - thanks in advance!
 
Reply
Old Feb 12, 2026 | 02:29 PM
  #2  
2015 F-350's Avatar
2015 F-350
More Turbo
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 631
Likes: 192
From: Southeastern US
Yes, I would replace them. Usually a replacement item for me starting at 10 years. Change out a few at a time.
 
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2026 | 09:21 AM
  #3  
stever1000's Avatar
stever1000
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 74
Likes: 26
That's what I was leaning toward... doing the upper and lower radiator hoses first since they see the most heat and stress. My dilemma comes from a big road trip coming up...so do I replace all including to/from the oil cooler as well as the overflow tank? Or are these less likely to cause issues?
 
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2026 | 09:30 AM
  #4  
2015 F-350's Avatar
2015 F-350
More Turbo
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 631
Likes: 192
From: Southeastern US
I replaced them all because as I was looking at each one it became obvious that they were old and not “supple”.

I don’t like to take a chance on something that’s easy to replace, and I can control the time, as opposed to on the side of the road.

The hoses to the oil “cooler“ are under the same pressure as the rest of the system, so I replaced them all over the span of a few weeks.

Don’t forget to check your heater hoses also.
 

Last edited by 2015 F-350; Feb 13, 2026 at 09:32 AM.
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2026 | 09:33 AM
  #5  
stever1000's Avatar
stever1000
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 74
Likes: 26
That's a good point. When you say you replaced them over the span of a few weeks, I assume this was convenience and you didn't need the truck? Since some of the hoses would lose more coolant than others- or did you top up each time?
 
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2026 | 10:02 AM
  #6  
2015 F-350's Avatar
2015 F-350
More Turbo
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Jun 2024
Posts: 631
Likes: 192
From: Southeastern US
I don’t use my truck as a daily driver, so I did mine over a few weeks. I didn’t refill the system during the replacements as it wasn’t necessary.

It was one of those “since I’m in there” moments-and they needed changing anyway.
 
Reply
Old Feb 13, 2026 | 03:14 PM
  #7  
rvpuller's Avatar
rvpuller
Moderator
Veteran: Coast Guard
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 6,530
Likes: 928
From: Home Base Nebraska
Club FTE Gold Member
I've looked at them on my 2013 with 98K miles and they all looked fine as I have no plans on replacing them anytime soon. The only cooling system maintenance I've done is change the coolant at 95K last summer, I was more concerned with the belt, tensioner and pulleys so I bought a Gates kit and replaced them all, one pulley had a noisy bearing.

Denny
 

Last edited by rvpuller; Feb 13, 2026 at 03:38 PM.
Reply
Old Feb 16, 2026 | 02:31 PM
  #8  
saratoga2011's Avatar
saratoga2011
Laughing Gas
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 798
Likes: 264
The only things I had a problem with were the o-rings in the ends of the upper and lower hose quick connectors. They got dry and brittle over time and started leaking; hoses themselves were fine.

You can buy the o-rings separately and replace them in about 20 minutes.



 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

 Brett Foote
story-2

This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-5

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-7

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Feb 20, 2026 | 09:09 AM
  #9  
stever1000's Avatar
stever1000
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 74
Likes: 26
Thanks that's good info, I didn't think of the style of connectors with the o-rings. I will look for those part numbers.
 
Reply
Old Feb 20, 2026 | 09:10 AM
  #10  
stever1000's Avatar
stever1000
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 74
Likes: 26
Originally Posted by rvpuller
I've looked at them on my 2013 with 98K miles and they all looked fine as I have no plans on replacing them anytime soon. The only cooling system maintenance I've done is change the coolant at 95K last summer, I was more concerned with the belt, tensioner and pulleys so I bought a Gates kit and replaced them all, one pulley had a noisy bearing.

Denny
I have a spare belt already but I did not consider the tensioner and idler pulleys...I see the Gates kit now and will get that as I have read a few times about those getting noisy.
 
Reply
Old Mar 1, 2026 | 01:44 PM
  #11  
fordman19762003's Avatar
fordman19762003
Cargo Master
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,362
Likes: 250
When my truck hits 100k (which will be around the 10yo mark) I'm going to replace all the hoses when the coolant is changed plus I'm going to replace the belt and pullies. Seems like pretty cheap insurance for me, especially if you are making long trips. Then I save the old stuff for emergency repairs.
 
Reply
Old Mar 17, 2026 | 04:21 PM
  #12  
stever1000's Avatar
stever1000
Thread Starter
|
Cross-Country
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 74
Likes: 26
That's a good idea to save the old parts for spares
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Slowhite777
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
15
Aug 12, 2022 04:23 AM
Ryan05KR
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
12
Mar 3, 2021 12:07 AM
TheCoach
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
May 13, 2017 09:00 AM
Cwmichael
6.4L Power Stroke Diesel
5
Oct 14, 2015 11:48 PM
JetMech07
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Nov 3, 2010 05:50 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:47 PM.

story-0
10 Ways Ford is LOSING to the Competition

Slideshow: 10 ways Ford is losing to the competition

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 09:52:01


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now

Some great targets in today's expensive world.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-15 09:35:19


VIEW MORE
story-2
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-4
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-6
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE