webdzynes

I have a 2006 with 96000 miles. Its always garaged and has always been in Florida so its never seen freezing temperatures. I will be looking to sell it sometime in the next year.
I am in the process of putting in a new radiator right now and was thinking about replacing the hoses until someone suggested that since I'm down here, where its typically always warm, I am just throwing money away. I get the 'why not' concept but why bother if its not really necessary. Thoughts?

michaelinmech

ummmmmmm . . . .the ambient temperature of where you live crumbles in comparison to the heat and pressure the hoses endure in 96,000 miles and 9 years of driving, imho.

Gary '09 C6

there are almost 100,000 miles on lots of parts that are on your car...suspect it may be prudent to replace quite a few parts !

but, if you're selling the car, why throw away money ?

wlean99

how much do a couple hoses cost.May as well just replace em while its apart.you might get that back together and blow a hose 1 week later.

Kad2112

My thoughts

When cold, squeeze the hoses. It they crumble from the inside and have cracks on the outside i would replace them. Otherwise they are probably ok.

I just replaced a radiator on my 2001expedition with 228k miles. Original hoses. When I squeezed them it was like the inside was lined with egg shells. I changed my antifreeze every 4 years, so I don't think it was neglected, but after 13 years they were due.

webdzynes

All good information. The car has been carefully looked after and all the hoses and belts seem perfectly good to the touch and when viewed. But that's why I ask. I havent looked into what it would cost to replace the hoses (in general) but again, why bother if the consensus is I'm not on borrowed time. I havent held my cars this long before so I'm in unfamiliar territory... better to ask all of you than to guess...

TxLefty

8 years and lots of heat cycles. I'd be tempted to change them. It's a lot easier and cheaper when it's a planned activity.

rappini

I have a 92 C-4 with 47k and change with original hoses they don't feel squishy still firm.

CorvetteSparky

My reasoning follows the same line of thinking. They're probably $20 or $30 a piece so why not? They're made of rubber and certainly won't last for ever. It would be very inconvenient for one to fail many miles from home (or service) while on a road trip. I'm sure you wouldn't want to leave you car in the care of Bubba the tow truck driver.

unixcorn

If the car you were talking about was a 1965 Rambler where you could see the hoses and every other part in the engine bay because there was so much room, maybe you could forgo changing them to make sure you get 100% of your value out of them. After all, replacing them is easy, you can see them and you probably wouldn't be too worried should one develop a leak since the car would probably drive for 100 miles without liquid in the cooling system.
Unfortunately, we are talking about a car that would overheat when a trash bag covers a small part of the front facia. Replacing the hoses looks daunting when standing next to the car since you will be fighting the hood and a radiator buried under who knows what. If it were me, I would replace all the hoses and belts while they are easily accessible. One more thought, even though you can squeeze the hose and it feels good, the suction hose should have a spring inside to keep it from collapsing. That one shouldn't be able to be squeezed or the spring has rusted away. Finally, where the hoses meet the rad I would carefully examine the clamp areas which are also suspect after nearly 100K miles.

Dave S

Don't be "penny wise & pound foolish". The hoses have to come off anyway when you replace the radiator, so replace the hoses at the same time. Rock Auto has the upper hose for $14 & the lower hose for $24.

zero11

Change them they're due since it's apart and you're in there check the belt also.

schizcat

I replaced my radiator 2.5 years ago. No problems with the hoses and I now have 109K on a car that used to be a daily driver. However, if I would have thought about it then, I would have replaced. Its cheap insurance to do it now to be sure they are new. Its better than having to go back and do replace them when it's not torn apart.

Sunnyvale Dave

If I were replacing the radiator, I would replace the hoses at the same time.

FortMorganAl

I have to ask, why are you replacing the radiator? The answer might change the opinion on hoses. But, in any case, hoses are inexpensive compared to the labor to replace them. The labor is almost zero while replacing a radiator so replace them and impress the prospective buyer next year at how well you maintained the car until they ask why did you have to replace the radiator?

AORoads

I agree w. above fr. Ft. Morgan re the reason for replacing radiator as it might impact the need for hoses.

And in the rationale of selling a car soon, you can never guess exactly what will be the "tipping point" in a decision to buy your car compared to another car. Someone who demonstrates they went a little further in maintenance than others---that could make the difference. Not only in the actual sale of the car but maybe the price asked or paid. And when it's all apart, it's not a $2K trans or $6K engine---it's the price of a couple/three hoses.

Don-Vette

wayback

It just seems silly to not change the hoses when you change the radiator. Cost is low and labor is almost nil.

Where you having cooling problems? Radiator leaking or just not cooling well? Asking cause mine is struggling this summer and I am debating on trying to clean it or replace it. I am at 134,000 miles.

BSE1956

Since you have it apart anyway, replace them.
Will also a good selling point if you do put the car up for sale.

BROCKYJACK

It's time to change and the fact that you are changing the radiator anyway should make it a no brainer. Just like tire rubber, age is a factor. The hoses are not that expensive and as an op mentioned...how would you feel if a hose failed two weeks after you put the radiator in and had to go through that hassle. Or you can roll the dice and save a few bucks. I would put new hoses on.