Should I replace these heater T’s? (3 Viewers)

[pavell]

My truck has 226,000 miles on it. The timing belt was done at 180,000 miles.

I was examining the heater T’s today. They look pretty new. What do y’all think ? I have all new oem heater T’s and new oem hoses ready to put on. But looking closely at the truck ….even my existing hoses look pretty new.

Please advise. Would you even waste time replacing this stuff ?

 

[Super77]

PSA: replace those heater tees - https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/psa-replace-those-heater-tees.1364155/

If you don’t know their age, replace them. You don’t really know their condition until you remove and inspect.

 

[97 AZ LC]

Replace the Ts, save the new hoses for next time.

 

[leveeguy]

They always do look like new right there in my experience.

Definitely would want to have new ones on hand before attempting removal to check the condition.

Could flush your heater core in the process, thats one thing you dont want to ever have to replace

 

[Aracobuilt]

You already have them so why not replace them. I know I would for peace of mind.

 

[3_puppies]

I vote for just changing them also,
my guess is those aren't original, they have been changed already, the clamps have been moved on the hoses

 

[BullElk]

If peace of mind is worth $25 and 25 minutes, change them. But look at keeping the colder line T (DS) for a spare. It lasts longer than the hotter side.

 

[Hornd]

Remove 1 and see the Condition instead of Guessing.

Put it back if Conforming, Replace both if Non Conforming.

Another Option is to Replace them with the Brass Tees used on the 80 Series.

**Try to Avoid the Replace Everything because it will soon Fail American Thinking.

**Write the Date on Tees with Silver Sharpie or Label Printer.
You are Wishing they had an install date on them now.

I mark every Part that is Easily Accessible like filters and Bulbs

 

[SteveH]

Would you even waste time replacing this stuff ?

Very cheap insurance to replace them, as there are documented cases of these failing and frying engines and stranding people. Black plastic junk (see VW and BMW cooling system parts) usually look great, until they fail.

 

[Dirt J]

Replace and keep any still-viable components. Looks like some weepage on the DS tee.

They have been tinkered with before but who knows what for. Could have been a flush, or remove to access something else... With parts on-hand, replace for peace of mind.

 

[Jack90210]

Easy to replace. I would do it.

My recommendation is to swab the tee/hose with rubbing alcohol as an assembly aid, just before inserting into the hose.

 

[OwnerCS]

How is the condition of the heater hoses that run under the cab?

 

[LC Lurker]

Without any doubt in my mind, change em if you don’t have concrete records that they were changed recently.

 

[anthonydiaz85]

Change em. I went back and forth on this too and I'm changing mine this weekend.

 

[Super77]

I mark every Part that is Easily Accessible like filters and Bulbs

I’ll admit that I keep a label maker in the garage and stick individual date/mileage labels on filters, fill plugs, and any critical consumables.

Love me a good label

 

[andrewderrick]

Yes just for peace of mind

 

[Mike NXP]

They look fine, but you came to the land of people who are always talking about heater t's and the need to replace them lol .....If you want my opinion, it would definitely depend on your use case.

Do you just drive you truck to work, on city streets and well within range of services ? Then who cares, they aren't leaking and they are totally fine. You could continue to pop your hood now and then to monitor all things under there.........OR do you take your truck out into the wilderness far away from help and it needs to be in tip top shape? If you find yourself going into remote areas then yeah just replace them for all those types of reasons....

Are you do for any major service soon, like timing belt? Maybe just do it all when the time comes for that

I also wouldn't consider it an easy job, I recall breaking my back a bit while reaching back into the engine back yanking at hoses that were stuck and fighting me to let go

If you do replace. Remember to use OEM parts and be aware of the different size clamps. Replace hoses to. Hell replace everything you can touch "while you're in there" right? lol

 

[Super77]

Sure, and why bother with new tires when you can just monitor them for traction? This is an ounce of prevention story. I do agree with the “use OEM parts” bit, though.

1. A broken-off tee will drain your cooling system just as effectively a mile from your house as on a mountaintop. Do you really want to deal with either scenario?
2. It’s a one job with a $16 clamp tool
3. The hoses generally don’t need replacement unless they’re really damaged.
4. Only the lower (perpendicular) tube is smaller, so 2 smaller clamps to keep track of. Good call-out.

 

[ScotyDosentKnow]

Mine looked just like that.........then part inside the hoses crumbled and fell apart when I changed them.

 

[Hornd]

If you can answer these few Questions we can know if you Need to Change the Tees:

Do you have a Will in an Offsite Secure Location?

Do you have more than 1000$ cash on Hand for Emergencies?

Have you had a Full Body CT Scan?

Do you have Food Rations and Barrels of Water in your Basement?

Have you Prepaid your Funeral and have a person setup to Destroy your Computer & Phone?