Heater Hoses (1 Viewer)

[sampson]

It looks like one of my heater hoses is leaking. I’m going to go ahead and swap out all coolant hoses, and my radiator. Should I plan on connecting my own hoses with clams and connectors, or can the whole hoses be found pretty easily? I can only seem to find silicone and I’d prefer not to go that route. Does anyone have a list of all coolant hoses? Do you guys recommend changing the thermostat or anything else while I’m at it?

 

[Rednexus]

You can buy Gates replacement hoses at most parts stores, which is the route that I went. I replaced my upper heater hoses proactively when I replaced my starter, all of them were actually in great shape inside and out (maybe they had been replaced before I bought the GX). Gates hoses are around $10-20 each. I actually didn't replace any of the lower hoses heater on the engine, but I did replace the radiator hoses.

If the hose has any sharp bends on it, I would get a molded hose (Gates if they make it, OEM Toyota if not). If it does not have any sharp bends there is no reason why you can't use generic heater hose (probably 5/8") from the auto parts store. The generic heater hose will kink like a garden hose over a sharp bend, but works fine for smooth bends. I've actually used it for sharp bends before, but put a nice big loop in it so as not to kink it (obviously it's not feasible to do that everywhere).

I would also replace the thermostat and radiator cap with genuine Lexus/Toyota parts while you are in there, the upper and lower radiator hoses, and give the cooling system a full flush.

 

[sampson]

You can buy Gates replacement hoses at most parts stores, which is the route that I went. I replaced my upper heater hoses proactively when I replaced my starter, all of them were actually in great shape inside and out (maybe they had been replaced before I bought the GX). Gates hoses are around $10-20 each. I actually didn't replace any of the lower hoses heater on the engine, but I did replace the radiator hoses.

If the hose has any sharp bends on it, I would get a molded hose (Gates if they make it, OEM Toyota if not). If it does not have any sharp bends there is no reason why you can't use generic heater hose (probably 5/8") from the auto parts store. The generic heater hose will kink like a garden hose over a sharp bend, but works fine for smooth bends. I've actually used it for sharp bends before, but put a nice big loop in it so as not to kink it (obviously it's not feasible to do that everywhere).

I would also replace the thermostat and radiator cap with genuine Lexus/Toyota parts while you are in there, the upper and lower radiator hoses, and give the cooling system a full flush.

And do I just cut these or are there connectors too?

 

[Rednexus]

They should be all slip-on and slip off with a hose clamp. The hoses in your picture with metal connectors are AC refrigerant hoses and should not be cut.

I just popped the hood on my GX and there appears to be two coolant hoses in that area, one from the thermostat area that leads to a metal tube towards the oil cooler (which the filter screws in to), then another from the metal tube too the oil cooler. There must be a return line somewhere too, unless coolant is routed directly back into the block at the oil cooler.

Those hoses are pretty straight; I'd just use some heater hose for them (1 ft should do both, which costs ~$4-5). I would also double-check that the radiator is not leaking and spraying coolant on to your oil filter area, and that the oil cooler itself is not cracked.

 

[sampson]

Yes, they are right above the coolant lines. I couldn’t get in for a decent photo. Theirs a company that makes them in silicone. I posted the picture below. I’m thinking I may have to connect more than one hose for the longer one.

 

[Rednexus]

Those ones are the upper heater hoses that go from the engine (intake area IIRC) to the heater core and probably aren't the cause of this leak (but would be good to replace if you are doing the hoses anyway).

The little hoses leading to the oil cooler area are just 2-3" long. I'm doubting anyone other than Toyota/Lexus sells them, but you can easily cut them out of a length of hose from an auto parts store. The bends are pretty flat on both of them.

 

[sampson]

Thanks for all your help. I’m going to have another look tonight. In the meantime I’ll order everything I can on rock auto and buy the rest locally.