Heater hose replacement
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Heater hose replacement
How much does a heater hose replacement cost?
The heating system on gas-powered cars is the same today as it has been for decades.
Hot coolant passes through a heat exchanger in the dashboard of your car, and heater hoses circulate the coolant to and from this part.
Heater hoses are exposed to high temperatures in the engine compartment and deteriorate with age and exposure to oil, and will need to be replaced eventually. Hoses typically commonly last between 80,000km and 150,000km under these normal conditions.
When heater hoses need to be replaced, the average cost is between $150 and $250, but may be more depending on the make and model.
Because coolant constantly circulates through the heater hoses, it doesn’t matter whether you use the heat or not – they deteriorate just the same.
What is a heater hose?
The warm air from your car’s dash vents originates from hot coolant that passes through the heater core.
One heater hose carries the hot coolant to the heater core, and another takes it away.
The inlet heater hose comes straight from the engine, where the coolant is hottest.
The outlet hose ties back into the cooling system, where it rejoins the engine’s cooling system once again.
A car typically has just two heater hoses, unless it’s an SUV or a truck with a rear heater. In that case, there are four heater hoses.
Like radiator hoses, the heater hose is made of synthetic rubber, reinforced by strands of cotton or Kevlar to prevent bursting.
They are often formed to a specific shape and are manufactured thick enough to contain nearly all the coolant’s heat.
When the hose begins to deteriorate, it can develop bulges, collapse, or begin to leak.
If coolant flow is restricted or there’s a coolant leak, your heater hoses should be replaced.
Symptoms your heater hose requires replacement
- Coolant leaking near the firewall
- Poor heat inside your car
- Hose doesn’t return to form when it’s squeezed
- Bulge in the heater hose
How is a heater hose replacement performed
- The technician opens the bonnet and inspects the cooling system with the engine cold
- The coolant is drained, then the heater hoses are removed
- New heater hoses are fitted and securely clamped at both ends
- The cooling system is topped up with the correct type and mixture of coolant
- The engine is run up to temperature and the air bled from the cooling system
- The technician verifies the repair visually and ensures heat is present at the dash vents
Tips to remember
- Coolant can become corrosive over time, deteriorating your hoses. Timely cooling system flushes can help prevent heater hose failure.
- Only compatible coolants should be used when filling the cooling system to prevent unnecessary failures from occurring later on.
How important is replacing your heater hose?
You might think that heater hose replacement isn’t important in the summer, but you’d be wrong.
Leaking heater hoses can cause engine overheating due to low coolant levels, and at an exponentially greater cost than the hoses themselves.
Operating your car with faulty heater hoses can make for a chilly drive, an unpleasant coolant smell, and cause warning lights and engine overheating. Address faulty heater hoses as soon as they are detected.
If you’ve read this far, you obviously care about your car. A lot. So next time you need a service, repair or inspection, visit AutoGuru.com.au.
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