[V6-12v] When to replace hoses...

[Kent McLean]

Tom Christiansen wrote:
 > When do you recommend replacing hoses? 10 years? Never? When they
 > bust open? Are there any signs of wear/decay that indicate when it's
 > time to replace hoses?

I haven't seen anyone jump on this, so I'll give you my 2 cents.
Rubber deteriorates over time.  I think the t-belt recommended
interval is 5 years. You could use that as a benchmark, but
failure of the t-belt is very costly.  They recommend you retire 
motorcycle tires after 5 years, again for similar reasons (if an
old tire fails on a motorcycle, you are toast). However, if a
heater hose fails from age, it won't cost you an engine (unless
you ignore the steam coming from under the hood).  Based on that,
and a recollection of the archives littered with stories of
oil hoses, heater hoses, and vacuum lines failing at around 10
years, and I'd guess you could stretch the non-critical rubber
to 6-8 years.

--
Kent McLean
'94 Audi 100 S Avant, "Moody"
'89 Audi 200 TQ, "Bad Puppy" up in smoke