Are the OEM heater T's really $28???

[thebeedeegee]

I found them on Amazon, but 2 of them are $28. Surely , someone must know where to get a plastic T cheaper than that?

 

[BullElk]

I think OEM from the dealer is about $11 a piece. Most, if not all, of the other plastic and brass options are not the same metric diameter so it may force you to use a worm clamp instead of the OEM clamps. But it's very likely they will only need to be changed once or maybe twice in its lifetime. The plastic Ts are like plastic tank radiators, they don't last but like 15 years.

 

[brownfox]

Did mine today. 2005 LC. They were disintegrating. Replaced with the amazon ones. Had to get new hoses from Advance Auto and worm clamps. Spent some time cutting and fitting everything just right. Worth it.

 

[pnolanIH8MUD]

Those t-s almost kept my family form going to Christmas 400 miles away. PITA. I got the last two T-s in Austin and the dealer had NO hoses. So, I went to NAPA and they let me crawl around in the warehouse looking for hoses that were snug enough AND which had the bends I needed. Some hoses contain all the turns you need in one preformed hose. The hose clamps were a fail so I removed them as soon as we got home and went back the factory bands. Ace hardware had a selection of spring bands that weren't so pricey but I'd already bought a ridiculously priced stealer set. ** There is a special cable tool you can use to hold the spring clips open. Its probably worth having if you're replacing the hoses. Also a hook-ended tool helps make hose removal at the firewall and below a bit easier. I didn't have this either.

 

[Wilsil]

I ordered them yesterday from Amayama, AUD7.84 each.
Including all attached hoses and 1 ventilation hose, AUD 110.20 including delivery to Australia.

 

[flintknapper]

Forget the plastic.

 

[4Beast]

FWIW $28 doesn't seem too outrageous for the peace of mind.
I used brass (mettleair, barbed). They have been great for the past few years...YMMV

 

[bamabrock]

Those t-s almost kept my family form going to Christmas 400 miles away. PITA. I got the last two T-s in Austin and the dealer had NO hoses. So, I went to NAPA and they let me crawl around in the warehouse looking for hoses that were snug enough AND which had the bends I needed. Some hoses contain all the turns you need in one preformed hose. The hose clamps were a fail so I removed them as soon as we got home and went back the factory bands. Ace hardware had a selection of spring bands that weren't so pricey but I'd already bought a ridiculously priced stealer set. ** There is a special cable tool you can use to hold the spring clips open. Its probably worth having if you're replacing the hoses. Also a hook-ended tool helps make hose removal at the firewall and below a bit easier. I didn't have this either.

 

[ranma21]

I found them on Amazon, but 2 of them are $28. Surely , someone must know where to get a plastic T cheaper than that?

I carry the OEM Heater T set for $19.99 shipped. =)

 

[loeky]

Think of it as .00028 cents per mile [over the life of 100K miles] of easy insurance.

m.

 

[AK Wes]

Forget the plastic.

View attachment 1960706

What he said!

 

[thebeedeegee]

thanks for the info. Wish I woulda saw the $19 deal but my amazon order has shipped. Oh well, hopefully I can get another 170k out of the new ones since I'm pretty sure they were never swapped . I'm a little skeptical of the metal ones because of it not being the perfect size. did you have to deform the hoses to get it on?

 

[MongooseGA]

I used the metal ones that were posted, with the 2 sizes of arms on them. I just used some stainless worm gear clamps and they were fine. There was the slightest leak after a drive from my house to the gas station (engine getting warmer, things adjusting a bit). I just snugged it down a bit more while fueling up and have had zero concerns since. Do yourself a favor and position the screws for the worm gear clamp to face upwards so you can get to them easily.