How To Tell If Your Radiator Hose Is Failing

Radiator hoses are usually the first point of failure in the cooling system. They are made of a flexible rubber compound to absorb vibration between the engine and the radiator.

How Long Does A Radiator Hose Last?

Old new radiator hose

There is no maintenance schedule to replace radiator hoses. While they won’t last forever, better compounds have improved the service life of radiator hoses. OEM radiator hoses in newer vehicles will last 10 years or 100,000 miles, whichever comes first. A coolant flush is typically recommended at 100,000 miles. It’s a good idea to replace the hoses when the coolant is drained and replaced. Learn more about servicing your cooling system here.

How Do I Know When A Radiator Hose Is Bad?

Swollen radiator hose

Radiator hoses are critical to keeping coolant flowing between the radiator and the engine. Here are some signs that you may have a bad radiator hose.

  • Engine is overheating
  • Coolant is low
  • Radiator hose is collapsing 
  • Radiator hose is soft and will easily collapse when you squeeze it
  • Radiator hose is swollen
  • Radiator hose is cracked

The first sign of a bad radiator hose can be visual. The hose may be swollen, especially near the clamps. The radiator hose may also lose its shape and collapse. This will cause a restriction in the cooling system and result in overheating the engine. The hose may also have visible cracks on the surface from dry rotting. Cracks will eventually result in coolant leaks. Loose hose clamps can also cause coolant leaks. It’s good to check the condition of your radiator hoses at every oil change.

We have a large selection of radiator hoses for your Toyota vehicle. All OEM parts are backed by the standard Toyota 12 month, unlimited miles warranty.