Blog

A radiator hose is an important part of your vehicle’s cooling system, helping to keep your engine operating at a safe temperature. These hoses are inexpensive parts but can cause expensive repairs if they are not inspected regularly and replaced when necessary. In this post, we’ll cover:

• What is a radiator hose, and what does it do?
• How long does a radiator hose last?
• What to do if you need to inspect a radiator hose.

What Does A Radiator Hose Do?

A radiator hose carries coolant between the engine and the radiator. Every vehicle has an inlet hose that carries coolant to the engine and an outlet hose that carries coolant back to the radiator. As the coolant circulates in the engine, it absorbs heat, keeping the engine at a safe operating temperature. The hot coolant returns to the radiator, where it’s cooled before returning to the engine.

The radiator hose has a very important job; Without radiator hoses, the coolant wouldn’t circulate back to the radiator to cool, and the engine would overheat, leading to bigger, more expensive problems. They also have to be strong enough to withstand high temperatures and pressure, harsh chemicals, and constant vibration. For this reason, they are made out of synthetic rubber and are designed to be flexible.

How Long Should A Radiator Hose Last?

There’s no set lifespan for radiator hoses, but on average, they should last at least five years or longer. It’s a good idea to replace the radiator hoses when you drain and flush the coolant, which is recommended at least every 100,000 miles on most vehicles today.

Radiator hoses should also be inspected regularly, ideally at every oil change or if there are signs of coolant loss. Although they’re generally made of highly durable ethylene propylene rubber, they will eventually degrade due to constant exposure to heat, hot water and chemical agents.

How To Inspect A Radiator Hose

Radiator hose inspection is something you can do yourself at home using the following steps:

1. First, make sure your vehicle has cooled off, and the engine is no longer hot.
2. Park your vehicle in a flat, safe spot, preferably in the driveway or garage.
3. Open the hood and locate the radiator hoses. One radiator hose will be located on top of the radiator near either the left or right corner of the radiator. The other hose will be located at the bottom of the radiator, usually in the opposite corner.
4. Look for leaks around the ends of the radiator hoses or signs of coolant leaking from the hose itself.
5. Squeeze the hoses with your hands. They should feel firm but flexible and retain their shape after you squeeze them.
6. If the hoses exhibit any of the following signs, they need to be replaced:
   • The hose has cracks on the exterior – either at the ends of the hose or in the middle where you squeezed it.
   • The hose makes a crunching noise or feels dry and crunchy when you squeeze it.
   • Swelling or bulging along the hose or at either end.
   • Signs of leaking coolant.

If your radiator hoses need to be replaced, or you have other cooling system issues, Suburban Auto Parts can help! We carry a full line of belts, hoses, and radiators for your car or truck. After over 70 years in business, we know a thing or two about cooling systems and offer fast shipping from over 50 locations around the U.S. Check out our reviews to see what makes us different or contact us to work with one of our helpful and knowledgeable parts specialists.