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430 Coolant Hoses

Discussion in '360/430' started by AandSC, Apr 21, 2025.

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  1. AandSC

    AandSC Formula Junior
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    #1 AandSC, Apr 21, 2025
    2008 F430, 26,4XX miles. Did about 50 miles this past Saturday and commenced my annual service. When I removed the engine undertray I noticed what appeared to be a clear liquid on the large bottom coolant hose and at the base of the oil/water pump. The liquid was slippery, so doesn’t appear to be condensation. There are no apparent leaks from the water/oil pump, and there are no deformations or apparent leaks from the coolant hose that had several droplets and a sheen from what appears to be coolant. The coolant level in the reservoir is very slightly low. After changing oil I warmed the engine up to normal operating temp and no sign of any leaks or “sweating”.

    I’m ordering all the hoses (17 year old hoses due for replacement) and I’ll do a vacuum and pressure test to see what they show but has anyone seen a similar “sweating” from the coolant hoses that might indicate they are failing?

    Pics to show where the liquid was.


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  2. GogglesPisano

    GogglesPisano F1 Rookie
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    #2 GogglesPisano, Apr 21, 2025
    The problem is that your engine bay is too clean. No protective dirt layer :D

    On a serious note, 2008 should have had silicone hoses. Don't those have a much longer lifespan?
     
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  3. AandSC

    AandSC Formula Junior
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    #3 AandSC, Apr 21, 2025
    Joe,

    I threw some rust, dirt and old oil on the engine and surrounding area to see if that helps. :D

    My understanding was the silicone hoses are supposed to last longer, but how long is the normal lifespan of coolant hoses subjected to the 430’s engine bay heat?? It’s also odd that the sweating didn’t happen when doing the post-oil change engine run.
     
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  4. mike32

    mike32 F1 Veteran

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    #4 mike32, Apr 22, 2025
    You will have fun doing the radiator hoses, have to open the front part to get to them
     
  5. GogglesPisano

    GogglesPisano F1 Rookie
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    #5 GogglesPisano, Apr 30, 2025 at 11:48 PM
    Did you end up doing the vacuum test? Really curious if your silicone hoses failed.
     
  6. AandSC

    AandSC Formula Junior
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    #6 AandSC, May 1, 2025 at 11:44 AM
    Joe,

    Not yet. Was out of town last weekend and really busy work week. Planning to tackle this weekend.

    I have been accumulating all of the coolant hoses in anticipation of changing them out. I don’t want to have a hose failure at an inopportune time. Will give me peace of mind for another 17 years.

    Haven’t seen any real consensus on how long these hoses should last, otherwise I would just change out the one that’s weeping.
     
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  7. GogglesPisano

    GogglesPisano F1 Rookie
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    #7 GogglesPisano, May 1, 2025 at 11:53 AM
    Thanks. I'm interested because it would be good to spot early trends as the cars age. Doing a bit of research on silicone hoses, it seems that it is not uncommon for them to "sweat" more than rubber because they are more permeable. So, the symptoms you are seeing might be normal operation. Maybe someone more experienced can comment on that. Obviously, nothing wrong with putting on new parts but it would be good to understand for others that might find themselves in the same situation.
     
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  8. Extreme1

    Extreme1 Formula 3

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    #8 Extreme1, May 2, 2025 at 8:50 AM
    I’ve never seen or heard of a radiator hose sweating, on any car. Could it have been condensation from running the air conditioner? Just a guess.
     
  9. AandSC

    AandSC Formula Junior
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    #9 AandSC, May 2, 2025 at 9:55 AM
    Definitely not condensation given location, oily feel, blue residue on undertray, and evidence on the hose.

    Did quite a bit of reading and there are instances where this has been observed, related to failing hoses.

    Here’s one link that I found interesting. https://motoiq.com/silicone-radiator-hoses-not-for-the-street/
     
  10. GogglesPisano

    GogglesPisano F1 Rookie
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    #10 GogglesPisano, May 2, 2025 at 10:20 AM
    I read that as well. I was hard pressed to find more than a few articles that aligned. Some sources say they last 5-10 years (which is rediculous considering that's what rubber easily lasts to) and other saying they will outlast the car, which is equally confusing. Plenty saying you will lose coolant gradually because they're porous if you search exactly for that, but I have never experienced that myself or never heard of it happening before. Who knows though, maybe there are various grades or constructions that exhibit each of those characteristics.
     

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