Is it tme to change coolant hoses
Rotorman
03-27-2007, 05:49 PM
96 3.0 Windstar with 95k, 11 yrs old with original coolant hoses. Last coolant
change was 4 yrs ago with a 60% coolant and 40% distilled water. There's no
leaks and no soft spots with original hoses and squeese type clamps. Would you change them now due to thier age. Or carry some duct tape with a couple of gallons
of pre mixed coolant in the hatch area due to that I'm kind of lazy. Btw the coolant has 20k and it
still looks clean my ohm meter registers .01 volts when I tested for conductivity, I didn't do the litmus paper test for acidity. I need you opinions. Thanks
change was 4 yrs ago with a 60% coolant and 40% distilled water. There's no
leaks and no soft spots with original hoses and squeese type clamps. Would you change them now due to thier age. Or carry some duct tape with a couple of gallons
of pre mixed coolant in the hatch area due to that I'm kind of lazy. Btw the coolant has 20k and it
still looks clean my ohm meter registers .01 volts when I tested for conductivity, I didn't do the litmus paper test for acidity. I need you opinions. Thanks
12Ounce
03-27-2007, 07:11 PM
I think most of the time we get a precursor leak before a hose blows. So I think a frequent inspection will keep you out of trouble. Some of the hoses can be difficult to remove/replace ... so don't wait until some inconvenient event occurs, and you find some trip disrupted.
I would recommend replacing all hoses at one time when you do replace. In that regard, you might begin seeing how many of your hoses are readily available at the "aftermarkets". Make a list of their part nos. Buy ahead any preformed hoses that are hard to find. Don't overlook any that feed the rear heater.
Be prepared to deal with the quick-disconnects (may not exist on your model) that are used on some systems.. Repair kits are available for these. I nearly let a quick-disconnect ruin my '99 3.8.
Have a rotary tool and cut-off wheel ready for removing some of those factory clamps ... it's the "best way" sometimes.
I would recommend replacing all hoses at one time when you do replace. In that regard, you might begin seeing how many of your hoses are readily available at the "aftermarkets". Make a list of their part nos. Buy ahead any preformed hoses that are hard to find. Don't overlook any that feed the rear heater.
Be prepared to deal with the quick-disconnects (may not exist on your model) that are used on some systems.. Repair kits are available for these. I nearly let a quick-disconnect ruin my '99 3.8.
Have a rotary tool and cut-off wheel ready for removing some of those factory clamps ... it's the "best way" sometimes.
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