FEBEST has expanded its cooling system hose range from just over 20 part numbers to more than 30, with new radiator hoses for Toyota, Lexus, Infiniti, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Mazda, Kia and Hyundai. Every hose is produced under ISO 16949 certified quality control and carries a two year or 60,000 km warranty. Here are the new part numbers and what to check before you fit one.
The hotter it gets, the more closely you need to watch engine temperature and the cooling system generally. If something does go wrong, finding it early matters more in summer than at any other time of year, because the smallest loss of sealing in the coolant circuit announces itself immediately as overheating.
FEBEST cooling hoses
The update covers the cooling system hose range, and radiator hoses in particular. The range previously ran to more than 20 part numbers, and this latest update takes it past 30.
Every flexible component for the cooling system is produced in factories with mandatory quality control certified to the ISO 16949 standard. That gives owners confidence that the hoses will reach their rated service life without splits, cracks or swelling, and will keep the cooling system working steadily at normal pressure.
The update focuses on popular Japanese and Korean vehicles, which make up a large share of the car parc in Australia and New Zealand. Here is a closer look.
What is new for Toyota?
The first few additions are aimed at Toyota owners. Hoses 01460-004 (upper), 01460-005 (lower), 01460-007 (upper) and 01460-008 (lower) suit radiators on the Toyota Camry and Lexus ES with various powertrains.
One more new Toyota part is radiator hose 01460-013. It is intended for the Toyota LandCruiser 200, plus the Lexus LX450d and LX570 with the high-output 1VD diesel and 3UR petrol engines. This hose is designed around the serious loads these large V-engined vehicles place on the cooling system, which is exactly the duty cycle you see towing a caravan or boat in 40 °C heat.
What is new for Nissan and Mazda?
Several more Japanese models pick up new parts.
For the Infiniti QX and JX, and the Nissan Pathfinder R52, there is lower radiator hose 02460-004 and upper hose 02460-003. What these three different models share is the 3.5 litre VQ35DE V6, and that is the engine these new FEBEST parts were released for.
Two further additions cover the Mitsubishi Outlander and Mazda 6: radiator hoses 04460-006 and 05460-001 respectively.
What is new for the Korean models?
Korean vehicles have not been left out. Two new parts arrived for the hugely popular Kia Rio and Hyundai Accent, which are closely related under the skin. Radiator hoses 12460-009 and 12460-012 suit the most common versions with the 1.4 and 1.6 litre G4 family engines.
Before you replace a hose, check that every sealing flange on the radiator, engine or water pump is clean and free of defects such as distortion or burrs. Skip that step and you risk damaging the new hose during fitting, which brings early failure and a loss of pressure in the system.
Pay attention to your choice of clamps as well. They should be new, because reusing old clamps is not recommended. Clamps must meet the vehicle manufacturer’s requirements, since fitting the wrong hardware can let a hose blow off entirely. The cooling system operates under pressure.
Remember too that the previous hose may have failed because of excess pressure in the cooling system, caused by a faulty pressure valve in the expansion tank or radiator cap. This is a very common cause of failure. If you do not check it, the new part may not last long either. A cap is not an expensive item, so our recommendation is to replace it at the first hint of doubt, and avoid damage to hoses and radiator.
Safety note: never open a radiator or expansion tank cap on a hot engine. The system is pressurised and the coolant is well above boiling point, so releasing the cap causes a scalding steam and coolant discharge. Let the engine cool fully, catch the old coolant for correct disposal, and refill with the coolant specification listed by the vehicle manufacturer rather than a generic mix.
The warranty on all these new parts is two years or 60,000 km, whichever comes first.
Frequently asked questions
How long do radiator hoses last?
A quality hose typically lasts several years, but heat, pressure cycling and oil contamination shorten that considerably. Australian summer temperatures, long highway runs and towing all accelerate the ageing of the rubber. Inspect hoses at every service by squeezing them cold: hard and crunchy, or soft and spongy, both mean the hose is due.
What are the signs a radiator hose is about to fail?
Look for swelling near the clamps, fine surface cracking, a soft or mushy feel, and coolant staining around the joints. Persistent low coolant with no visible puddle often means a hose is weeping only when the system is hot and pressurised. Any of these signs means replace the hose before it splits.
Can I reuse the original hose clamps?
No. Reusing clamps is not recommended, because spring clamps lose tension and worm-drive clamps deform the hose bead over time. Fit new clamps that meet the vehicle manufacturer’s specification, since the cooling system runs under pressure and an under-specified clamp lets the hose blow off under load.
Why did my new radiator hose fail so quickly?
The usual culprit is excess system pressure caused by a failed pressure valve in the radiator or expansion tank cap. A contaminated or burred sealing flange is the other common cause, since it damages the hose at fitting. Replacing the cap is cheap insurance whenever a hose has failed early.
Does a stuck thermostat cause hose failure?
It can. A thermostat stuck closed drives coolant temperature and pressure well above normal, which stresses every hose and joint in the circuit. If an engine has been overheating, inspect the whole cooling circuit rather than replacing only the component that visibly failed.
Should I replace upper and lower hoses together?
Yes, where both are accessible. They have aged under the same heat and pressure cycles, so a failed upper hose usually means the lower one is close behind. Doing both at once also means bleeding the system only once, which saves the most time-consuming part of the job.
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