MaineSailor

Greetings all: Anybody have guidelines for renewal of radiator hoses on a PM basis? Car has always lived in relatively cold climate (PA and Maine). Our 2008 W204 Sport is now approaching 10 years old (manufacture date anyway). I'm suspecting the top (left) radiator hose as a potential first failure point. No visible cracks or bulges in the hose now - but there are o-rings on the ends that you can't see when assembled. Hate to spend $60 on that fancy molded hose if I don't have to, but don't want to be alongside the road steaming either! I'm planning on a PM coolant flush/change (OEM coolant, of course) and now is the time if I'm going to change any hose(s). Thoughts? Experiences?

c300white

If no buldgeing or cracking they are probably ok - look for signs of coolant leak near connections (white crusting) - on the otheir hand - if you are going to keep the car another 8 years - and flushing the coolant anyway - might not be a bad idea to replace all the easy to reach hoses .... at some point you will have to do expansion tank, water pump , thermostat and radiator anyway ... so even hose replacement will not guarantee you are not at side of road - on my other cars - coolant tank itself is notmally first to go, followed by water pump .... and plastic bleed screws, t-connectors - rubber pipes have generally been ok - I did have a small leak from one I did replace - but easy to spot coolant residue at connector ....

Funkwagen

If you're worried about the cold/salt drying out the rubber hoses, treat them with a vinyl/rubber conditioner that is not petroleum based; they actually cause the rubber to decay over time. Silicone based conditioners work well

I've done this at the start of winter for the past two, hoses are like new.

Carsy

In my experience rubber hoses are in good condition if they are soft & pliant.

Mine are nearing 10 years old & are in perfect condition.

It is wise to check them regularly when the engine is hot i.e. give a good squeeze looking for distortion.

I also run around the hose clips with a screwdriver to check for tightness. .

dennish

The coolant lasts 15 Years There are packets of chemicals in the expansion tank from the factory that dissolve over the 15 year period. This keeps the coolant effective over that time span.

Colin G

I had the dealer flush my system before I stored the car away for the winter and I wonder if they put something similar back in. That blue MB coolant as used but I am unsure if they added anything back in.

CGSColin

I could be wrong but I was under the impression that the additives were in the MB coolant itself.

MaineSailor

Yes, "chemical packs in the expansion tank" is new to me - I would want to see documentation on that. The local stealer wanted to renew our coolant a couple of years ago - for some big dollars, of course (car had only about 40,000 miles on it and what - 5 years old!). I had heard that the M/B coolant was supposed to be good for 15 years, but I have some OEM coolant, and can do it myself. I'll call it cheap insurance. I see the expansion tanks a a "top selling" item on on-line retailers - will keep an eye on ours, as well as the hoses for now. Thanks all for the input!