Hoses - still original after 11 years and 150k miles

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Kigiin

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Other than a little seepage at the hose ends, but no noticeable loss of fluid, I haven't had any issues with the 3 large coolant hoses. However I am going on major trip in June (4K miles) and wonder if I should replace these hoses as a preventative measure, potentially avoiding a major PITA. My local independent quoted me $380.

Questions:

- should I go ahead and replace them?
- is $380 a good price?
- how hard is it to DIY? That lower one seems hard to get to?
- What about the other 8 or so rubber hoses - should I replace them all?
 
No expert so take it with a pound of salt, but here are a few pointers:
- either inspect the hoses yourself or have someone inspect them. Is the rubber on the hoses showing cracks, dried etc or is it in good condition? I assume that condition can be visually inspected - I'm sure someone will correct me if not.

I have not replaced all the hoses you're referring to but I have taken some off and put 'em back on.
- I don't know if it's necessary, but cable clamps make some hard to access hose clamps easier to get off/on.
- Also, pick tools can help get the old hoses off.
- Also, when putting the hoses back on, there's usually a raised ring on the metal portion of the tubes, you want to be sure to put the new clamps past that point (it makes sense visually when you look at it - that keeps the clamped hose in place and stops it from slipping off).

Also as far as price, 380 sounds steep, but take a look at lexuspartsnow (or any other site that has parts diagrams) and pick out the part numbers you need so you can shop around. Beno and cdan on this forum should have competitive prices for you.
 
The junction from the hose to the top of the radiator will also be relatively brittle by now. If you look at it, there is probably discoloration at that plastic junction from the hot coolant coming from the engine.
 
Mines at 170k with original hoses, and they have never seem to give me an issue. But like someone else said, check em out yourself and look up part prices. $380 sounds pretty expensive, especially if you can get to most of the hoses yourself cause hoses are not expensive parts. Maybe get another shop in your area to give it a look? Shop around? That's worked for me when one shop quoted me nearly twice the price of another...
 
I assume he quoted you for OEM hoses. also toyota long life coolant? rule of thumb is, half the cost is labor. no doubt you can save some cash if you are willing to do the work. like a couple gas tanks of cash ;)
 
I have 258k on my '99 model, I have my big hoses changed along with the water pump when I have had the timing belt replaced at each 100k interval....380 seems expensive
 
IIRC the t-junctions at the back of the engine are the only coolant hose issue reported on the board. Inspect and then leave alone. Hoses are not a known weak area.

Are you traveling somewhere with no tow trucks, no telephone service and cannibals in the woods ?
 
The only thing that negatively effects reliability at nearly the rate of neglected maintenance is unneeded maintenance.

If you do much work then you'll need a shake-down cruise to get reliability back to the same level. Same idea as a car a couple of years old being more reliable than a brand new one.
 
I am now just over 180k miles and will do the 90K service soon. Debating with myself to replace all the hoses as part of this. They are showing no signs of wear but just wonder how long they can do - anyone have that many more miles on the originals?
 
pegasis0066 said:
I am now just over 180k miles and will do the 90K service soon. Debating with myself to replace all the hoses as part of this. They are showing no signs of wear but just wonder how long they can do - anyone have that many more miles on the originals?
Click to expand...

They're getting brittle. Probably wont fail outright, but could get a leak going if stressed. I replaced 100% of the small water hoses at the 90k, big and small. Probably a dozen in total. At $25/gal I wasn't planning on draining coolant again soon.
 
Mine on my 80-series hoses didn't last that long. Upper rad hose split, not a big split either. I was all of five miles from the house, in the heat of summer in South Texas, and it took me like 40 minutes to get back without letting it overheat. Me, I would replace them ALL and sleep well for probably another ten years.
 
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