when to replace engine hoses?

[Crushin It]

Just curious on your thoughts - have a 95 with twin 350 inboards with approximately 500 hours on engines. The watwer I am in is the Chesapeake Bay which is brackish. I know the hoses on the engines have never been replaced. Is there a preventative maintenance rule on this or does everyone just wait til there's a leak and replace one at a time.. I feel like I should do this since its never been done.

Thanks,

Mark

 

[Quint4]

I decided to change my fuel lines last year. They looked fine from what I could see but here is what I found after I got them off. Glad I changed them. I will start swapping out water hoses this Spring.

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

Check them for flexibility. If they show any cracks, cuts, bulges, hard or soft spots, then it is time to change them out.

My owners manual says to check them every 300 hours. So I would guess yours are overdue... When they fail, it will be from the inside out...

They may "look" great, but it is cheap insurance to replace if you find any of the above in the first two sentences...

 

[MaddyDean]

Check them for flexibility. If they show any cracks, cuts, bulges, hard or soft spots, then it is time to change them out.

My owners manual says to check them every 300 hours. So I would guess yours are overdue... When they fail, it will be from the inside out...

They may "look" great, but it is cheap insurance to replace if you find any of the above in the first two sentences...

Agree--Changing mine this year along with the Risers and manifolds.

My hoses are sooo spongy--with two fingers I can easily squeeze the hose together.

 

[HUMPH]

I am changing all of my water hoses and 2 rubber fuel hoses now. The water hoses seem to be fine but I don't want any issues. One fuel line is leaking because of a bad design from CAT on the placement. If in doubt change them!

 

[margarita jane]

I am changing all of my water hoses and 2 rubber fuel hoses now. The water hoses seem to be fine but I don't want any issues. One fuel line is leaking because of a bad design from CAT on the placement. If in doubt change them!

Ken....please elaborate on fuel line problems, as friend has same boat and CATS as you....much appreciated, Tom

 

[HUMPH]

Ken....please elaborate on fuel line problems, as friend has same boat and CATS as you....much appreciated, Tom

There is a fuel line that runs along the Right side (looking from the transom forward) high up and tight to the engine. It has pressed fittings on both ends one straight and one 90 degree. It rubs against the motor and specifically on a small gauge stainless twisted wire and rubbed right through until it drips. The 90 end terminates just above the fuel filter. I will take pictures Friday when I replace them.

 

[sbw1]

I believe this may be somewhat dependent on where you boat. Heat takes a toll on rubber and tropical climates may be tougher on hoses and belts than colder climates where boats are stored for 6 months a year. I do a careful inspection of them every year at haul out. I replaced all of the belts and hoses on my 93 SR because I owned it for 11 years and felt it was due. Having said that, everything looked good and I'm sure I could have gone longer but did not press the envelop. I plan to replace my 2004 belts and hoses on a similar schedule. This is somewhat expensive because of the labor and I will likely coordinate it with the coolant replacement which will be required in about three years. Might as well kill two birds with one stone.