bjo71

2KHarrier

When I did the TB on my 2001 last year, the car was at 192K give or take, and the hoses looked fine, but as they were not changed on the 1st Timing Belt service at 101K miles, I went ahead and installed new upper and lower hoses. They probably were fine, but "ounce of prevention" and all that.....

Johnhav430

On my Maxima, I did them. My uncle told me I'm wasting my money (it was about 14 y.o. at the time), the days of cars on the side of the road with a burst hose are gone. You know if it needs them simply by feel.

So, when the indie did my timing belt/water pump, I asked them about replacing the hoses, and the response was as a general policy, we don't simply replace things for the sake of replacing them. Yes, we do recommend replacing things when they make sense. It's your money, we'll replace anything you want, but we don't do things if not necessary. And we would not hesitate to recommend if it were. So left them alone. I myself despite their saying I didn't need it, asked for a new serpentine. They charged me $40 and it wasn't the end of the world, it was all parts. So you can see maybe a $19 upcharge on the part as it was a Bando.

Personally, I appreciate shops who don't do unnecessary work. The really crazy thing is BMW dealerships are like that. But on some jobs, like ABS, they have very high costs like $4,200, where DIY is < $300, so I think that's why their business model affords them that luxury.

bjo71

Johnhav430

Wonder what would cause the hoses to bulge being a) 15 y.o. b) having been used only 44k

That would make me wonder about everything else that is rubber. Climate that the vehicle was operated in, not sure.