Lower Radiator Hose Issues

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Aug 25, 2016 | 01:27 PM

#16

Losiracer2

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Joined: Sep 2008

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From: Chandler, AZ

i bought some gates hoses from O'Reilly and the upper hose had to be trimmed substantially otherwise it would've hit the fan. I don't recall trimming the lower hose, but that was my whole reason to replace the hoses in the first place the day I bought the car. My PS pump had been rubbing on it and it felt really soft at the part where it was worn away, My pinky finger could've punctured it and caused a breakdown.

Aug 25, 2016 | 02:21 PM

#17

hotdawwg

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Joined: Jan 2011

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From: Ca

Yeah exactly.. The pump rubs right against it...

Aug 25, 2016 | 03:13 PM

#18

YODAONE

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Joined: Nov 2014

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From: CALIFORNIA

Quote:

Originally Posted by hotdawwg

Yeah exactly.. The pump rubs right against it...

What is cost savings over LEXUS??

Aug 25, 2016 | 03:17 PM

#19

hotdawwg

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From: Ca

It was a $25 savings. Not much but this is my daily and my G37 is at a shop getting a prototype bumper fabricated and ready to make a mold for all the Poly bumpers. So I needed my LS400 asap.

Jan 2, 2017 | 07:40 PM

#20

valex

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Joined: Feb 2006

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From: CO

I have a 1999 LS with 221K miles, is rubber hose replacement recommended at this age to be proactive, or only if you have problems/leaks.
I will be changing starter soon, just want to get all the parts I might need beforehand.
If rubber hose replacement is recommended, is aftermarket ok? I see stuff on rockauto that is less than 1/2 of OEM hoses.

Jan 3, 2017 | 12:03 AM

#21

YODAONE

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Joined: Nov 2014

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From: CALIFORNIA

Quote:

Originally Posted by valex

While it is half the price, it is also much lower quality...and fitment is poor....causing problems with abrasion of hose with other components..as one ClubLexus member reports earlier in this forum post.

Never mind that the aftermarket quality of the rubber is no where near OEM.

Remember when aftermarket was considered an upgrade?

Also, stick with the OEM radiator hose constant tension style clamps. (Replace along with hoses)

They are perfectly matched for OEM hoses mating onto plastic radiator fittings.

The $1.00 worm screw style clamps are suitable for certain application, but in my opinion are not ideal for clamping down on plastic radiator fittings and are prone to loosen over time..

Thec OEM clamps have stood the test of time.

Last edited by YODAONE; Jan 3, 2017 at 12:08 AM.

Jan 3, 2017 | 10:36 AM

#22

oldskewel

Lexus Test Driver

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Joined: Sep 2010

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From: California

Quote:

Originally Posted by valex

My original upper hose in my '91 got a pin-hole leak at around 185k miles a year or so ago. So I replaced both upper and lower. So I think it is probably a good idea to pro-actively replace yours at your mileage. It is very likely to go sometime soon. For me, it was a tiny leak, and I was able to fix it conveniently, but a hose failure can be very inconvenient if you're not lucky.

BTW, after I got the pinhole leak, I was able to feel (without removing anything) the hose near the failure point, which was at a bend near one of the ends, and the whole thing felt significantly more flexy in that area. So you might try feeling and squeezing the hoses, especially near the ends, trying to find a weak spot. I think the rubber weakens / softens / delaminates prior to failure, and this is what you're feeling for.

If you want the replacements to last until you hit 442k, then definitely I would get the Lexus ones. If you're willing to settle for less than 200+k more miles and save some $$, that should work as well. Just make sure you get a good fit. The aftermarket ones commonly are built with extra length that is meant to be trimmed to fit, so make sure you do that.