Coolant hoses

[Redhouse]

How often should the hoses be replaced?

I have about 32k miles on my '01, and I have a bit of a coolant weep where the upper radiator hose connects to the radiator. I tightened the clamp up last year, and I thought it was good, until I took the fairings off and saw there was some more weeping and the level was a bit low in the recovery tank. I tried to tighten it up, but it just wont go any tighter.....so I'm guessing I need to buy a new hose.

Looking on Bike Bandit....These hoses aren't exactly cheap, and I should probably change all of them while I'm doing it.....no sense in replacing one now to have another one fail in a year or so.

Just wondering for those with older Sprints......have you had to replace your coolant hoses?

I will be flushing the coolant too.....and I need to flush the brake fluid too, but that's another topic.

[BRG-BIRD]

Originally Posted by Redhouse

How often should the hoses be replaced?

I have about 32k miles on my '01, and I have a bit of a coolant weep where the upper radiator hose connects to the radiator. I tightened the clamp up last year, and I thought it was good, until I took the fairings off and saw there was some more weeping and the level was a bit low in the recovery tank. I tried to tighten it up, but it just wont go any tighter.....so I'm guessing I need to buy a new hose.

Looking on Bike Bandit....These hoses aren't exactly cheap, and I should probably change all of them while I'm doing it.....no sense in replacing one now to have another one fail in a year or so.

Just wondering for those with older Sprints......have you had to replace your coolant hoses?

I will be flushing the coolant too.....and I need to flush the brake fluid too, but that's another topic.

I cannot say that it should/shouldn't be replaced but this has been an annual winter event with the Thunderbird since 2006. For the most part I have ignored it since it is a weep and does not leak a bit even in very hot weather. Maybe try a new clamp? How do the hoses feel? If they feel soft when squeezed definately time to replace...

[KitNYC]

Coolant hoses are not a scheduled maintenance item. Doesn't mean they don't need replacing, just that they're not included on the checklist.

Cheers,
-Kit

[hdpegscraper]

Might want to check for corrosion build up in between the hose and pipe, preventing a good seal, before you buy new hoses.

[Redhouse]

The hoses don't feel soft or "squishy", and don't look deformed at all. I'll go ahead and remove the hose in question to check for any corrosion before I go and order new ones.

Kit, thanks.... I did see that they are not on the schedule....was just wondering if anybody has just gone ahead and replaced all the hoses at a certain age or mileage on the bike.

[RexxyPup]

I replaced mine last year as they were starting to go soft and when I compared them to the replacements, they were larger, showing that they had swollen. So that would be about 36,000 miles and 6 years. If that helps

[Redhouse]

That does help...thanks Rexxy