2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Service Life of Coolant; Bypass & Heater Hoses

[billmac1]

Greetings! I did a search and couldn't find anything definitive on the subject. The hoses on my truck will be 7 years and 63k miles old in September. I 've been replacing the coolant every 2 years with Fleetguard ES Complete EG 50-50 premix. It's time to replace the coolant again so I'm wondering if it would be prudent to go ahead and replace all of the hoses. I have felt of them and they don't feel soft and/or spongy but I'm no expert. Obviously my truck hasn't been driven much over the years; however it's my sole means of transportation now. I recently retired so it still won't be driven a lot.

 

[DavidC]

I Changed to Fleetguard ES Compleat EG 50/50 back in 2003. I buy the test strips and check it every 6 months. This antifreeze is suppose to be lifetime but I believe they recommend adding a booster additive by 600,000 miles. Haven't had to service the antifreeze yet as all test strips have been good to go. All the hoses are original equipt. and show no signs of fatigue. Been thinking about a coolant filter tho. Cummins states most water pump failures could be eliminated by using a filter. There was a post going on about this a while ago and a person would build the setup and ship to your door. Mileage when ES Complete installed was 42000 presently 76000. Don't know if this helps you or not but changing antifreeze as often as you do with ES Compleat seems like a waste.



Dave

 

[KevinSmith]

I wouldn't bother changing the coolant that often but I would change the hoses. The heater hoses and the the bypass hoses next to the oil filter take a lot of radiant heat. They end up splitting and dumping all the coolant on the road.

 

[DavidC]

Found a link for a coolant filter if your interested.

https://www.dieselsite.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=796



and a post

Here's a Coolant Filter Kit - TDR Roundtable



There are more if you search for coolantandfilter.

Dave

 

[billmac1]

Yeah, it's probably overkill changing the coolant as often as I have. I think I will try the test strips next time. I'll pick up some of those at the Cummins shop one of these days. I don't want to press my luck so I think I will go ahead and replace all of the hoses. I already have them and new clamps.

 

[wcjp]

I replace all water hoses every 4yrs regardless of outside appearance. Cheaper than roadside failure.

 

[WilsonF]

The hoses in my truck are OEM, check them often still good to go. But you need to do whatever gives you peace of mind.

Floyd

 

[JGK]

The one's on my '98 were stock up to early last summer with about 140,000 on it. When I put on twins I rerouted the hoses and replaced them with good high-temp silicone hose from a local shop. But the stock ones looked just fine when I removed them.



-Jay

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Found a link for a coolant filter if your interested.

https://www.dieselsite.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=796



and a post

Here's a Coolant Filter Kit - TDR Roundtable



There are more if you search for coolantandfilter.

Dave

DANGIT Dave - you just cost me some $$$! :-laf:-laf



I ordered one of those kits - and will use it for an install thread later - been interested in one of those for a while, but these look like pretty decent and complete kits, specifically designed for each individual brand truck...



We'll see...

 

[DavidC]

DANGIT Dave - you just cost me some $$$! :-laf:-laf



I ordered one of those kits - and will use it for an install thread later - been interested in one of those for a while, but these look like pretty decent and complete kits, specifically designed for each individual brand truck...



We'll see...

Alright Gary. I have been waiting for you to buy and install this system as it has been a while since the last "anatomy of " project. This is right up your alley:-laf. Seriously tho I think this filter and bypass systems are worth the investment. Let us know when you get it.



Dave

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

Alright Gary. I have been waiting for you to buy and install this system as it has been a while since the last "anatomy of " project. This is right up your alley:-laf. Seriously tho I think this filter and bypass systems are worth the investment. Let us know when you get it.



Dave

I had followed the earlier thread on a coolant filter that used the clear glass outer housing - great for viewing pleasure - but problems with glass breakage and leaks - so gave up on that one. If you read the descriptive material offered at:



https://www.dieselsite.com/index.asp...ROD&ProdID=796



They give some good info on the type of crud that needs filtering out of the coolant stream - and why. I'll plan on going over what the kit contains - ease of assembly, and then, later, a cutting apart of a used filter element after some decent miles have passed, to get visual info of what the filters actually catch.



My own truck cooling system has been serviced regularly, and always used steam distilled water along with Prestone anti-freeze - I also have an anode setup installed in the radiator coolant flow, and also always add water pump lube to the system during service. So, my system SHOULD be reasonably clean to start with - we'll see what I end up with...

 

[BigPapa]

I don't blame you guys that travel or tow a lot for changing out your hoses. All I do is local driving and hardly any towing. Mine are still originals. 14 years old, 306K miles.



Scott

 

[BarryG]

I changed my hoses at about 140k. I got in on a group buy of the SPA silicone hoses several years ago. Wasnt sure I wanted to spend the coin but went ahead and did anyway. In the end I was glad I did. The original hoses while they looked good from the outside once off I found the upper and definitely the lower radiatior hoses to be soft. The lower was very soft in the big bend. The other heater hoses etc seemed ok but the lower was definitely in need of replacement. The SPA kit also included all the charge air boots/hoses. The lower passenger side boot looked good on the truck but again once off it was in bad shape. There was a rub spot on it that had worn through the outer layer and had worn through at least one layer of the fiberish mesh underneath. It had been rubbing on I think it was an AC sensor. I dont think you can really see the rub spot unless you take the boot off. I later found (on here) that that sensor had been the demise of many such boots.