Heater/Radiator hoses - do NOT be fooled

[Ramblin Fever]

by the outside looks of a hose. It can look to be in very good condition on the outside but literally rotting away on the inside.

One OEM, 9yr old heater hose split down the middle today, replaced both heater hoses while I was there - an extremely painstaking job as you are literally plastered up against the firewall with no-where to go, can't see the bottom hose clamps, and have to pretty much go by feel.

These hoses, aside from the one splitting, looked otherwise in perfect condition - which is why I believe my mechanic didn't change them out.

I'm here to tell you, that they WERE completely rotted on the inside and could have caused a major break-down this summer for sure - because don't expect your local Napa, Autozone, Checker or Advanced Auto to carry these two hoses, they were dealer items only. At least in my town.

If anyone has any hoses, heater or radiator over 6yrs old, be cautious and be gone with them.

BTW - the two heater hoses are not cheap, either, one is $45, the other is $66 and you'll need about 3/4 gallon of antifreeze. The OEM clamps that are on these hoses are a BI%#$ to remove! Don't wish this one on anybody.

[bishop242]

AMEN!
I changed all my hoses EXCEPT THOSE TWO in my 89 trooper (They were just a little too hard to get to... besides, what was the worst that could happen if they failed???)
One blown engine later........

Don't forget about those rubber fuel lines either!

[surferfletch]

I changed mine out when I had the intake, fuel rail, etc., apart when I had that coolant leak up top. Made it a bit easier. And you're right about going to the dealer. You have to have the premolded hoses or you'll have to rig something with a couple of hoses and a right angle coupling. Not worth the aggravation. I tried to get a straight hose to fit, but it only crimps. After hearing yours split, I'm glad I changed them out.

[Ramblin Fever]

Don't have a clue about fuel hoses, but I can tell a few are dry-rotting.

Yes, yes, don't neglect these heater hoses - they are HARD to get to, I am VERY sore today with bruises all over my ribs from the side of the truck and leaning over for so long. But I'm sure glad I wasn't doing 70mph up a mountain pass, would've blown the engine for sure.

[Tom01Rodeo]

Originally Posted by Ramblin Fever

One OEM, 9yr old heater hose split down the middle today

I'd never let mine get that old in the first place. 5yrs tops.

[Ramblin Fever]

Originally Posted by Tom01Rodeo

I'd never let mine get that old in the first place. 5yrs tops.

Well, the good thing was, it was parked when it did it, wasn't running. I had just shut it down.

Never thought twice about how old they were, really, because I had just asked my mechanic to change ALL hoses out when they did the timing belt, waterpump, etc. so those 2 hoses shouldn't have been an issue. Thing was, when I called him on it, he said he didn't change them because they looked brand-new, and they did, the outside appearance of them made you think they were new.

The primary hoses get changed every 2yrs, whether or not they need it - guess I'd done forgot about the heater hoses on this truck cause they're not exactly in view, so you tend to forget.

Lesson learned, they'll be done every 2 yrs from now on, just like the primary hoses.

[Ramblin Fever]

Hey, what's the worst that can happen if the rubber fuel lines start leaking??

My life insurance is covered!

Seriously, would it lead to a fire? We've had some real old vehicles before, but I've never had to replace fuel lines on any of them.

Have a 20yr old Toyota with original fuel lines, I presuming as I've never changed them out.

[surferfletch]

I've never experienced it, but I'll bet you could have a fire. I changed those babies out, too. Just don't let the gas spray in your eyes. Relaease the pressure with the valve that is conveniently place right there (I didn't bother with it and got a little spray). I had a little bit of trouble findong the right size line...the 2 hoses are actually different diameters...but got something close at NAPA. I had one leak after the swap, though, because I didn't tighten one of the new screw clamps enough. This might fall into the category "If it ain't broke..."

[Tom01Rodeo]

My rodeo is an '01 so I need to start looking at replacing the hoses also. Replace them along with a rad. flush this summer sometime.

[Tom01Rodeo]

Originally Posted by Ramblin Fever

because don't expect your local Napa, Autozone, Checker or Advanced Auto to carry these two hoses, they were dealer items only. At least in my town.


BTW - the two heater hoses are not cheap, either, one is $45, the other is $66 and you'll need about 3/4 gallon of antifreeze. .

I checked Oreillyauto.com and they list all 7 hoses for a total cost of $85. They included the two radiator hoses, one bypass hose, two throttle body hoses and two molded heater hoses. They are Gates hoses and any auto parts house should be able to get them.

[Ramblin Fever]

Originally Posted by Tom01Rodeo

They are Gates hoses and any auto parts house should be able to get them.

Yes, Napa was ABLE to get them - in 4 days. I needed it on Saturday, no one in town but the dealer had them.

The upper/lower hoses, you can get those anywhere.

[bishop242]

Originally Posted by Ramblin Fever

Hey, what's the worst that can happen if the rubber fuel lines start leaking??

My life insurance is covered!

Seriously, would it lead to a fire? We've had some real old vehicles before, but I've never had to replace fuel lines on any of them.

Have a 20yr old Toyota with original fuel lines, I presuming as I've never changed them out.

My 89 Trooper 4cyl had a small section of rubber fuel line (secured with clamps) between 2 metal fuel tubes on top of the engine. It looked like new... After starting the car and driving about a block, I smelled gasoline and pulled over to check it out. The entire top end of the engine was soaked in fuel and even had a pool of gas under the burst hose. I don't know how it didn't go up in flames.
I found the inside of the hose to be totally hardened and cracked while the outer skin was soft and new looking.

I replaced it with a small piece of steelbraid.
I suppose it's probably not a hazard unless you have rubber lines used on the top end of the engine like mine was.

[Ramblin Fever]

Can someone post a picture of the two throttle body cooling hoses, think I found one, but not the other?

[Tom01Rodeo]

Originally Posted by Ramblin Fever

Yes, Napa was ABLE to get them - in 4 days. I needed it on Saturday, no one in town but the dealer had them.

The upper/lower hoses, you can get those anywhere.

Ok, but when you said dealer only, I had to check. I'd be surprised if O'Reilly couldn't get them next day. Usually, special orders only take one day from the dist. center.

[Tom01Rodeo]

Originally Posted by Ramblin Fever

Can someone post a picture of the two throttle body cooling hoses, think I found one, but not the other?

If you go to oreillyauto.com and shop for the hoses, they show a picture of the hose along with the part number. Not sure how accurate the pic is, tho.