My ole' Gen 4 Taurus SES is a 3.0L DOHC Duratec 3.0 V6.
I'm at about 67k miles now. I have a schedule that says replace hoses at 60k, so I'm overdue on that. I'm due for a coolant replacement soon at 68k (using an "Extended Life" coolant).
There's a hand full of hoses in there. Does anyone have experience that says just replace the radiator in/out hoses? Or is it a known issue that certain other hoses are also prone to failure? You see what I'm getting at here: I don't want to replace difficult to get at hoses just to have something to do.
I'll greatly appreciate your hands-on experience if you care to comment.
Where did you hear hoses should be replaced at 60K? Modern hoses made of EPDM last MUCH longer than hoses on 20+ year old cars. The coolant hoses will last way beyond 60K miles.
Somewhere long long ago, in a place far from planet Earth, I recall a jedi mechanic who recommended hose changes every 60k or 10 years, (whichever came first). I had just incorporated that into my maintenance schedules over the years. I had no idea that hoses these days had better longevity due to the use of EPDM. Had to check that out: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EPDM_rubber
You've saved me a bundle of busted knuckles. Next time I have it up on ramps (probably for the oil change at 68k), I'll just do a hose inspection. Here's the Dayco way if others are interested: The Best Ways to Inspect and Install Radiator Hose
If the water hoses seem good, I'll simply drain the radiator and refill with an appropriate extended life coolant. The last coolant change was at 38k on 3/12. I plan to change the coolant this soon because the last time it was changed back on 3/12, it was done by a (proven sloppy) tranny shop and I have no idea what they poured in there. I bet the cheapest stuff they could get their hands on.
Not intending to change the subject here, but I also have a (complete) tranny flush & filter scheduled for that same 68k mile marker. That's only 30k from the last unexpected $3500 rebuild I had do at only 38k. I learned the hard way about these AX4N Metric tranny's (which btw, was renamed the 4F50N in 2001).
What year is your Duratec? You don't have it in your info. I think I've only replaced two hoses in 210K+ of driving. There's a factory part that houses the thermostat and there's another metal hose near the back of the engine that rusted away. The other hoses are still original and the last time I had a mechanic look at it, he said they still looked and felt fine.
unless you have hoses soaked in oil (from leaks) there's no need to replace them. If you're a BMW owner probably I'd do as preventive maintenance.
I have a 98 continental with 137k and still has the original hoses, my 02 mountainer with 165k also has the original hoses.
Thanks again everyone for the advice. Those hoses are staying unless I find a bulge, cracks, etc or oil soaking as mentioned).
Btw, I updated my profile with the basic vehicle info. Thought I had done that a couple years ago.
Regards . . .
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