How old is too old - A4 B7 Coolant hoses?

nmerrill · Post by **nmerrill** » Sun Feb 07, 2016 11:00 am

Considering taking the wife's A4 on a CO ski road trip, and started thinking if it's ready to go....
Been wondering lately about when I should consider pulling all the OE coolant hoses on that car for a preemptive strike.
Car is '06 with 165K on it now.
All the hoses look fine, but I was wondering what other folks are doing?
Anyone experience failures, or have you already changed them out?

audifreakjim · Post by **audifreakjim** » Sun Feb 07, 2016 11:23 am

My A6 4.2 was an '01 at 180k when I sold it and I never had any issues with coolant hoses. THey seem to last for a long time

PRY4SNO · Post by **PRY4SNO** » Sun Feb 07, 2016 11:28 am

I'd worry about it if it's leaking or brittle... otherwise OE hoses can last quite a long time.

loxxrider · Post by **loxxrider** » Sun Feb 07, 2016 4:25 pm

Is worth more about plastic parts in the cooling system. A preemptive strike never hurts though...

audifreakjim · Post by **audifreakjim** » Mon Feb 08, 2016 12:52 pm

I found the o-rings in the radiator connectors and such failed way before the hose itself.

dana · Post by **dana** » Mon Feb 08, 2016 2:06 pm

OEM hoses seem to last a long time. My car has 280k on it, and a lot of hoses look original and very serviceable. I would check it over closely and replace things that look suspect. I always carry a roll of this along with a couple gallons of water in my car survival kit.

nmerrill · Post by **nmerrill** » Mon Feb 08, 2016 5:13 pm

Thanks y'all
I'm pretty sure the hoses in my 200 20V were OE too when I let 'er go - 205K
Amazing how good, and how bad, rubber products can be.

Dana, interesting stuff - curious though if you have ever tried to wrap a flexible (rubber) hose with that product? Think you can get a good tight wrap?

dana · Post by **dana** » Tue Feb 09, 2016 9:44 pm

I have not had to try it (luckily) but it is advertised to be used for repairing coolant hoses in a bind. Im not sure if this is the exact product I have, I got mine off the shelf at NAPA. I wouldnt want to use it permanently, but its nice to have it as an option.

PRY4SNO · Post by **PRY4SNO** » Wed Feb 10, 2016 12:05 am

nmerrill wrote:Thanks y'all
I'm pretty sure the hoses in my 200 20V were OE too when I let 'er go - 205K
Amazing how good, and how bad, rubber products can be.

Dana, interesting stuff - curious though if you have ever tried to wrap a flexible (rubber) hose with that product? Think you can get a good tight wrap?

I bet if you have a rag and some weasel piss to clean off any road grime you can get a good seal using the tape.

Aktapod · Post by **Aktapod** » Wed Feb 10, 2016 1:02 am

Can confirm! Silicone tape is a godsend; I always carry a roll in the trunk. It's also very effective for fixing boost leaks

How old is too old - A4 B7 Coolant hoses?

How old is too old - A4 B7 Coolant hoses?

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Re: How old is too old - A4 B7 Coolant hoses?

Re: How old is too old - A4 B7 Coolant hoses?

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Re: How old is too old - A4 B7 Coolant hoses?

Re: How old is too old - A4 B7 Coolant hoses?