Cooling system hoses longevity

[Deleted member 69033]

I still have the original coolant/anti-freeze in my 2007 Ram truck. AC/heat works perfect as well. The level hasn't changed, still looks new, and it still tests freezing safe down to -35°F. The serpentine belt is original as well.

I've had a spare radiator, water pump, and belt in the garage for 6 years now just in case.

Truck owes me NOTHING. It's mostly a yard/plow truck now anyway.

I have an 05 f150 that's the same thing. Been a bulletproof workhorse since new. Paid for itself multiple times. Gotta love a good truck. Must've been built on Wednesdays!

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[Paul McWhiskey]

My old truck gets farther off the pavement than I or my wife are willing to walk at those elevations.

And, I would not want to have to listen to the chin music the entire way. Just like oil, belts and hoses are cheap. Engines aren't.

 

[momalle1]

Hoses are not maintenance items. Inspect them when you change your oil, replace when a problem is noticed.

 

[Paul McWhiskey]

Depends on how far you want to walk.

 

[Deleted member 69033]

Depends on how far you want to walk.

We'll have to agree to disagree on this. I've never once had to walk due to a broken down ride. I've never once sweated my cooling system hoses.

 

[ice445]

I don't remember putting hoses on anything I've owned since 2000 or so. When I was younger I changed lots of them. Technology really improved on this part.

My 2000 Taurus still had hoses in decent condition when I had it apart. I changed the water pump and timing cover gasket so I put new hoses on while I was in there.

 

[Paul McWhiskey]

We'll have to agree to disagree on this. I've never once had to walk due to a broken down ride. I've never once sweated my cooling system hoses.

Neither have I. But then...

 

[ice445]

Neither have I. But then...

I never had either, but the universe has a funny way of getting you when you least expect it. This car ran flawlessly until a valve spring shattered, something I've never seen in 10+ years of working on cars....

 

[Paul McWhiskey]

I never had either, but the universe has a funny way of getting you when you least expect it. This car ran flawlessly until a valve spring shattered, something I've never seen in 10+ years of working on cars....

Bingo!

 

[sk47]

Hello; Well I have had radiator hoses fail on the road myself. Have had to help others with failed heater hoses. Been a while to be sure. Tempting fate to say never.

 

[Deleted member 69033]

Well they are machines, and machines break. No amount of due diligence will change that for sure. When I was a mechanic the number one thing I heard from a customer dropping off was "I don't understand. It was running fine and then all the sudden.....", and I'd say yup, that's how it works. They're all running fine, until they're not!

So for instance, above we have a broken valve spring. Not ideal of course, but fixable. What we're saying with this thread, is you should have replaced all the valve springs, just in case? Come on.....

There's a lot of parts in an engine that can break, go bad, wear out. I watch the ones that can wear out, but nobody can predict what will break. That's life. Before my mustang I was driving my wife's 11 Ford edge. Damn good car, 250k flawless miles. But one day the timing chain skipped, engine go poof. Bummer, but it had paid for itself 3 times. Should I have ripped the car apart to check the timing chain? No way....

Besides. If that car didn't blow up, I wouldn't be driving my mustang! Lol...

 

[Deleted member 69033]

Hello; Well I have had radiator hoses fail on the road myself. Have had to help others with failed heater hoses. Been a while to be sure. Tempting fate to say never.

I had one come off once in my truck, towing my big heavy boat. Luckily I was on a big trip and did have tools, so I put it back on and tightened the clamp down good, let the motor cool for about an hour, and used all the melted ice water from my beer cooler to limp to the next exit and get antifreeze. Dodged a bullet that day!

I tell you what though, when I got out of the truck and saw antifreeze all over the ground, my heart sank..... Lol. I thought I had really done it in. Still driving that truck, still haven't replaced a hose.... That was almost 10 years ago.....

 

[sk47]

Well they are machines, and machines break. No amount of due diligence will change that for sure. When I was a mechanic the number one thing I heard from a customer dropping off was "I don't understand. It was running fine and then all the sudden.....", and I'd say yup, that's how it works. They're all running fine, until they're not!

So for instance, above we have a broken valve spring. Not ideal of course, but fixable. What we're saying with this thread, is you should have replaced all the valve springs, just in case? Come on.....

There's a lot of parts in an engine that can break, go bad, wear out. I watch the ones that can wear out, but nobody can predict what will break. That's life. Before my mustang I was driving my wife's 11 Ford edge. Damn good car, 250k flawless miles. But one day the timing chain skipped, engine go poof. Bummer, but it had paid for itself 3 times. Should I have ripped the car apart to check the timing chain? No way....

Besides. If that car didn't blow up, I wouldn't be driving my mustang! Lol...

Hello; I agree with your post. Lots of things i do not routinely check or replace such as timing chains. We just have to take a chance on much of the parts on a vehicle. A coolant hose or accessory drive belt can strand a vehicle but do not necessarily ruin one. Have seen a few exceptions when some one keeps on driving after a hose or belt breaks. No doubt hoses and belts are better quality these days.

 

[Rapid Red]

When I had mine in for an AC compressor I had them change the belts. I asked about the hoses and was told they should last the life of the car.

I'm skeptical but hope they do.

I'm older too, I remember when points ruled.

Dual points the rage, LOL to be honest I first read this, thinking what points?

Shows how much MSD has changed the narrative.. A 73 FX, Harley I sold 7 years ago to buy my machines had points.

 

[sk47]

Dual points the rage, LOL to be honest I first read this, thinking what points?

Shows how much MSD has changed the narrative.. A 73 FX, Harley I sold 7 years ago to buy my machines had points.

Hello; I still have points files and the assorted tools to set the gaps. Use to be a necessary skill as to points would form transfer deposits from one to the other and have to be filed smooth and re gapped.

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