Engine Coolant Flush -- Change Hoses too?

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KATfishing

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2008 Yukon Denali with 146K, coolant changed last at 65K, but will be time for a flush again this summer, because of 5 years. Local shop recommends changing upper and lower radiator hoses along with a new cap, due to age. Local lube place says hoses are made to last longer these days... check for soft spots and if none are present, just change the coolant. Obviously, the lube place does the abbreviated version because they don't deal with replacing hoses. What would you do... flush only, if all appears fine; or flush, hoses and cap even if hoses have no soft spots? I don't want to deal with getting rid of the old coolant, so I will pay to have it done.
 

Derick

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I'm thinking of doing the same come spring. What I'm having trouble with is the quick connect hoses and finding ready to use replacements.
 

thompsoj22

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i have the same 08 xl1500 with 130k. i allready have the upper/lower radiator hoses, both OE heater "Ts" and will soon get both OE heater hoses from the pump to the heater core. i think ill also get the pump and a radiator and do it all at once. im paranoid with coolant flushes as i have had a few instances over the years where the new coolant or murphys law would result in coolant leaks soon after the flush. so ill get all the parts together and this spring do the flush and definitly use the dexcool.
 
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KATfishing

KATfishing

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i have the same 08 xl1500 with 130k. i allready have the upper/lower radiator hoses, both OE heater "Ts" and will soon get both OE heater hoses from the pump to the heater core. i think ill also get the pump and a radiator and do it all at once. im paranoid with coolant flushes as i have had a few instances over the years where the new coolant or murphys law would result in coolant leaks soon after the flush. so ill get all the parts together and this spring do the flush and definitly use the dexcool.
Any theories on why a coolant leak started, and where did it happen in the system? I actually had a thought of changing the hoses myself but I don't have the experience of doing a proper coolant change other than a basic drain and fill, which I realize only mixes some new with the old. Any advice?
 

thompsoj22

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Any theories on why a coolant leak started, and where did it happen in the system? I actually had a thought of changing the hoses myself but I don't have the experience of doing a proper coolant change other than a basic drain and fill, which I realize only mixes some new with the old. Any advice?


My "theorie" is that the coolant plumbing,engine freeze plugs, head gaskets,waterpump seals,radiator,heater cores on older cars can have weak areas and replacing the coolant changes the chemistry of the liquid, The new coolant acts as a solvent and it will find the weak area and leak. This is more than likely me being paranoid, it is predominantly based upon the old "green" antifreeze and you should maintaine your flush intervals and simply consider this post my personal experience and not advice? i would absolutely advise replacing the heater "Ts" with part numbers GM#15055343 and GM#15055342 at every flush interval. The cost for both is approx $45, do not use doorman aftermarket replacement, stick to the OE replacements for these components. Also both heater core feed/return hoses have a plastic "QD" that connectes to the "Ts" and they are just as likely to fail as the plastic "Ts". you should search around on this forum and you can find pic's and R&R step by step to understand what this all is referring to.
 
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02Lightning

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I am kind of on the fence with changing the hoses, there are a lot of hoses in the system, and it only takes one to fail. Hoses are made of better materials and don't fail like they use to. I guess I would be fine with just checking for soft spots and changing if questionable. Or if it makes you feel better, just go ahead and change them, they aren't that expensive.
 

02Lightning

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All the coolant hoses cost less than a tow from bfe

For a tow, it’s what around $100 for like 10 miles? I’m not so sure I could get all the heater hoses, radiator hoses and fittings for less than $100, there is quite a few in the system. If I’m changing like the radiator, I will go ahead and do the hoses while I’m in there, and any that are questionable that I see. I also have AAA, so I don’t really factor that in. I’m actually more worried about the T-fittings on my Denali, than the hoses. I’m on the fence with that, mess with them and maybe cause more problems, or just wait for them to fail. I stay on top of my maintenance, and it makes me wonder how people get vehicles to run so long that are not on top of it.
 
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KATfishing

KATfishing

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All the coolant hoses cost less than a tow from bfe
Good point. I have roadside insurance with no deductible, but a breakdown is never fun. That said, I'm going to have the hoses professionally checked and if there are any concerns I'll just replace them. If not, I'll stay on top of my maintenance and assume that calculated risk.
 

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