How often do you change the water carrying hoses on your diesel? I have asked two indys this question and both have said NEVER. I was shocked to hear this. I change my belts about every 60k and have thought about changing the hoses as a precautionary measure. I definitely don't want to wait until one breaks and risk losing my engine. But these guys both said German rubber is really good and there is no need to replace them unless one breaks. I've got 203k on my car and have owned it since 139k and have never replaced the hoses. I have no idea how old the ones on the car are.

What do you guys think?

Scott

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Scott
1982 Mercedes 240D, 4 speed, 275,000
1988 Porsche 944 Turbo S (70,000)
1987 Porsche 911 Coupe 109,000 (sold)
1998 Mercedes E300 TurboDiesel 147,000 (sold)
1985 Mercedes 300D 227,000 (totaled by inattentive driver with no insurance!)
1997 Mercedes E300 Diesel 236,000 (sold)
1995 Ducati 900SS (sold)
1987 VW Jetta GLI 157,000 (sold)
1986 Camaro 125,000 (sold - P.O.S.)
1977 Corvette L82 125,000 (sold)
1965 Pontiac GTO 15,000 restored (sold)

My hoses looked pretty good but I am not sure when was the last time they were changed. As a matter of fact, I just placed an order for a lower and upper radiator hose yesterday. They only cost about 10 bucks each so I thought of it as cheap insurance. I travel about 500 miles a week with my car so spending a measly 20 dollars is way less than being stranded on the side of a highway with your car overheating. If you are questioning your hoses then I would definitely change them just for the sake of them being new.

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Audi TT

I ALWAYS change belts and hoses every 50k miles.....

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1984 300D Turbo Sedan (Hilda) 272,115 miles.....
Anthracite Gray/Palamino Leather, I am 3rd owner

2001 Dodge Stratus (Silver) (wifes) 55814 miles...

1982 280TE Wagon Astral Silver Metallic/
Anthracite Velour
260,512 miles (Eva)

1969 230 Sedan Olive Green/Black MBTex
4 Speed Manual
84,213 miles ????
Haus Frau


2004 Boreem Ninja Pocket Bike
Highly Modified 49cc (Ling Ling)

Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit

If it ain't broke don't fix it. Is a good practice to live by.

Unless you have a 603, then a $10 hose can cost you a $2k head. Not to mention the lower hose on an SDL cost $90.
German hoses are very well made I would say everytime you change the belt for the upper it is ony a few bucks. But every 10 years or 100k miles for the rest.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

25 or 30 years ago, changing coolant hoses on an annual basis was not a bad idea. The hoses that we have today, however, are VERY long lived. I don't know exactly what material they are now made of unless it is kryptonite.

These hoses will last years and years and years. That said, I still inspect them VERY closely on a regular basis. Look closely around the edge of the clamps. Also if they stop looking shiny, then I replace them.

Since when they do fail, it is almost always along the end at the edge of the clamp, they are very easy to repair well enough to get you home. Simply take off the clamp, trim off the end of the hose and stick it back in place and retighten the clamp. After that DON'T FORGET TO GET A NEW ONE!

As an earlier poster said, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." If, on the other hand, you are one who uses a topsider and never gets under the car to inspect things, then replacing them every few years might not be a bad idea.

Have a great day,