Whenever I'm driving a vehicle that is more than four years old or has more than 60,000 miles, I carry a spare UPPER radiator hose with me (in addition to a gallon of 50/50 antifreeze/coolant-water). I learned this about 25-30 years ago - the hard way.

This ESPECIALLY applies (as far as I'm concerned) to a small, 4-cylinder engine, which tends to runner hotter (has less cooling airflow circulating under hood) than 6 and 8 cylinder counterparts.

So I bought an OE upper-hose from my MINI dealer, but after realizing how tightly packed it is under the hood, decided to just have the dealer do the job - in advance of any roadside trouble.

The service writer at my closest dealer seemed STUNNED when I asked to schedule to have the hoses replaced on my `03 (R50) with 75,000. He stated; "We have NEVER replaced any (as a part of routine maintenance)". He went on to say; "I'd be happy to take your money, but you really don't need to replace them".

Now, I know for a FACT, that upper hoses blow, on average, TWICE as often as lower hoses (as the top part of the motor attains - and retains - more heat), and while upper hoses may well "last" for 80, 100 or more thousand miles, they are RUBBER and WEAR-OUT! And I am not all interested in having one blow on the routes that I tend to frequent (rural and mountainous roads of central and western Virginia) ... or anywhere else for that matter.

So I ask you, what's your opinion on this?

I have always replaced mine (in advance of breakdown) at about 75K, and 5 years of service - that being a full year after rubber-hose manufacturers timetables tend to indicate (Goodyear, Gates, etc.).

I'm very much into "PREVENTATIVE maintenance". Apparently this service writer would prefer to see his customers towed-in??

Whaddya think gang?

 

I think changing hoses is a good idea. When we did the A/C compressor on Artoo (2003 R53) at 85,000 miles we also replaced all the hoses with silicone replacements. They never get hard and rupture. But we were already in service mode and were able to easily get at all the hoses.

I would wait until something like the A/C or fan or something else needs to be done requiring service mode and do it at that time. All the hoses with silicone replacements and you won't have to worry about it ever again.

Rich

PS-Did he say how much he wanted to replace the top hose?

 

Good advice Rich thanks (and I had no clue that there were/are silicone replacements).

No, he didn't quote a price, he ended-up patching me over to the parts department to order the additional section (and I simply hung-up while on hold) for the upper configuration - as I had noticed - and mentioned to him after I bought the long hose, that there are actually TWO sections (a smaller second piece) joined by the plastic tee which contains the bleed valve for the system.

Thanks again man...

 

MINspeed.net is selling silicone hose set for 69.00 for the S and std cooper...on special...they are a great deal!! Good guy to buy from with fast shipping too....might be something to consider...pay for the pricey labor and do it ONCE!!

 

Thanks Zip...

I'm thinking that I'm not gonna keep this vehicle very long...maybe trade/sell it in the spring. And the reason is: I'm actually pretty thrilled with it! Allow me to explain...

Though it had low mileage mileage when I bought it less than two months ago (an `03 with 72,000), the vehicle spent life with all its prior owners (3 of them) up north (NY, PA, and MD). The car clearly seems to have been well-maintained/cared for (and again, had lower than average mileage), but there is some minor rust (salt damage) underneath and in the door hinges.

I knew all of this before I bought it (checked it out on Carfax AND on Auto Check), but I got a great deal on it. I'm just thinking now that I need something "newer" (say maybe an '07?)...and TURBO-charged, as well as something that was owned further south, with less exposure to salt...and maybe a sunroof, and...well, you get the picture...

Also, I'm tiring (a bit) of the standard (manual/stick, whatever) transmission already...and only owned it a month...though I have been doing a lot of extra driving recently (that I wouldn't normally do).

I suppose the original intent of my thread here was to see what you all thought of what the service writer had to say, and to get opinions on cooling-system maintenance habits...OH, lest I forget - what I was REALLY after is: has anyone changed an upper hose on an R50 (though I don't suppose the "S" configuration is much different?) - and how much "stuff" had to be peeled-away to get to that bad-boy??

Thanks again...

 

My dad would replace the belts and hoses every couple of years on all of his cars so I understand where you are coming from.

However, I have never replaced a hose or belt preventative and also never had a hose fail and only one belt fail on an '69 MGB. I do replace belts when I do a timing belt just because they are already off.

I think the quality of materials used in belts and hoses have greatly improved over the years and made preventative changes much less necessary.

This is with 34 years and several hundred thousand miles traveled.

As the saying goes - your mileage may vary.

 

Replacing the 5 spd with a rebuilt, and might as well do the hoses as well. Lower is a piece of cake , but upper threads through intake mani & I haven't found an easy way to extract it. Any Ideas?