SEVEREUpper Radiator Hose Leak

My mechanic said that my upper radiator hose has a 10/10 SEVERE leak. Is this considered severe?

 

Uhh no, no it's not. That's a minor seep.

 

I'd give it a 1/10 since I can see some pink crustys. If you've never replaced the hose, it is a 2008, so that hose is 16 years or so old. I would replace the hose and the clamps, both upper and lower.

 

You’d replace them both even if it’s a 1/10 just because of their age?

 

I thought the same…

 

Yes. I would replace 16 year old hoses because of their age and because they are starting to leak. 100%.

 

But yes at that age replacement is a good idea, a lot of time it's not mileage that ruins hoses it's time. Plus those hoses and clamps are not expensive

 

This is called preventative maintenance.

This is called "Can someone come get me, I'm broken down half way between Vegas and LA in August at 112F"

I'm a preventative maintenance guy. My response is facetious, but it has merit. In the end my decision is which is actually
cheaper. Aside from the cost of doing a proper coolant flush and fill, this also makes me look at water pump, thermostat
and all the other parts that might 'just have a seep' too.

 

I’m in the process of replacing my rad with new OEM hoses. They were not cheap. Think collectively, they were at round CAN$140 total.

 

Have you looked at Rock Auto? I know they sell in Canadian dollars but the shipping/taxes coming in can be a pain but
they have options on parts quality and supplier. I've used them only a couple of times but example the front RH
catalytic converter was worth it that time. Just an option if you haven't looked. I have US CC since I work lower 48
a lot. But doesn't make it cheaper, just easier. Unless you can drive down to border mailboxes and cross that way.

 

Yeah, shipping is really a deal breaker with RockAuto unless you are ordering lots of stuff. I do order from them from time to time though, and the other option I have is to order stuff in the US and have it drop shipped to Ogdensburg, NY which is only 1.5 hrs away.

 

I put Mishimoto silicon rad hoses on after 5 years on the OEM.

 

I had 3 yr old upper heat hose fail with a pinhole leak. Took 2 days to figure it out, and I was offroading in Yukon.
Cost me 2 hotel nights and lot of lost sleep. That was with all newer hoses, it can happen anytime after that.

 

My 17 is doing the same thing im at 97,000miles. weird. Neither hose nor the clamp have ever been off or touched