Ever wonder what happens when your coolant hose breaks? Well, we’ll tell you. A cooling system is only as good as its weakest point, and when a coolant hose fails, it can lead to serious engine damage. That means that if the hose ruptures or cracks in any way, there will be no more protection for the water pump and other vital parts.

Although this is a simple repair, it can be very costly if not addressed immediately. The good news is that the cost to replace a coolant hose is relatively low compared to many other car repairs.

If you need to replace your coolant hose, it will cost you an average of $250. This repair can range from $150 to $400 depending on the mechanic you choose and the year/make/model of your vehicle.

Whether you choose to go with OEM or aftermarket parts, your specific vehicle will determine how much you will be paying for a new hose. The average cost for the coolant hose itself is $70. You can find replacement coolant hoses for as little as $45, and they go up to $375.

This article will also include the cost of replacing a coolant hose on several different types of vehicles and how much it can vary.

Cost To Replace A Coolant Hose

The cost to replace a coolant hose is relatively low compared to many other car repairs. The coolant hose only costs about $50, and a trained and experienced mechanic can replace it in about an hour.

The cost to replace a coolant hose varies depending on the make and model of your vehicle and if you choose OEM or aftermarket parts, the type of coolant hose, and whether or not you decide to do it yourself.

If you prefer to go with OEM parts, the cost of a coolant hose replacement will be higher. You can expect to pay around $75-$150 for an OEM coolant hose and about $45 if you choose aftermarket instead.

On average, if you do not want to do it yourself and hire a mechanic to replace the hose, the cost will be around $250.

If you do not mind replacing it yourself and have an extra hour or two to invest in your vehicle, you can typically purchase a hose for about $40 online or at a local auto supply store and replace it yourself with no problem.

Coolant Hose Replacement By Shop

The price will vary depending on where you live and which mechanic you have to replace your hose.

Even though the costs are different, this is not necessarily because one place charges too much or too little. It simply comes down to where you choose to have it replaced. The auto dealership typically charges more because they use OEM parts.

On the other hand, if you go to a local mechanic or an aftermarket shop, they will typically charge less because they use aftermarket parts and their hourly rates are a little less than the dealership.

Cost to Replace Coolant Hose by Brand

Again, depending on where you choose to have it replaced and which parts you go with, your final cost could differ from these averages.

Cost to Replace Coolant Hose by Model

Depending on the year, make, and model of your vehicle, a few things can affect the expense of replacing a coolant hose.

Remember, these rates can change depending on parts and what shop you take it to.

Cost of Coolant Hose Replacement Parts

The parts for a coolant hose replacement are relatively inexpensive. The coolant hose itself will only set you back about $75.

If you choose to go with OEM parts, the cost will be much higher. You can expect to pay around $95 to $250 for an OEM coolant hose and about $65 if you choose aftermarket instead.

Since there are a few different brands and a few different places that sell them, you’ll have to search online or at your local parts store for the best deal. If you don’t shop around, you might pay more than you have to.

What Does A Coolant Hose Do?

The vehicle’s coolant is designed to absorb and dissipate the heat that comes from the engine’s temperature.

It does this by circulating through the entire cooling system, absorbing heat along its way. A cooling system is comprised of many parts, including pumps, radiator hoses, coolant caps, and coolant itself.

The coolant hose itself carries coolant at high pressure from one part of your vehicle’s engine to another. When driving down the road or in traffic, the engine has to keep cool. This is when it puts out a ton of heat, and if something in the cooling system goes wrong, it will overheat.

A cracked or ruptured hose can be extremely dangerous because it means that the vehicle’s actual engine temperature will go much higher than average. If the temperature spikes too high, it can result in severe engine damage.

What Causes A Coolant Hose To Fail?

A coolant hose can fail or rupture for two main reasons: age and exposure to heat.

When hoses are sitting on store shelves, they are protected from extreme heat, but once installed under the hood of your vehicle, they get exposed to heat from the engine and other sources.

This constant exposure can slowly weaken a coolant hose until it fails. Not to mention, hoses are surrounded by heat every time you start your vehicle.

The other main reason hoses fail is that they are old and worn out. As the hose ages, it becomes brittle and weak until one day, the wall of the hose ruptures or cracks completely.

This can also happen when a hose has been exposed to extreme heat and then suddenly goes back into a cold environment.

What Happens If The Coolant Hose Rips?

If the hose ruptures or cracks, all of the coolant will immediately start to leak out of your vehicle’s cooling system. This can result in overheating, causing severe damage to your engine. At this point, you will have to tow the car or drive very slowly to a mechanic to avoid more damage.

If the hose cracks but does not fully rupture, this is still extremely dangerous because there will not be enough coolant in your cooling system to keep the engine running at its normal temperature. When this happens, the engine could lock up and stop moving altogether. 

Signs You Need to Replace Your Coolant Hose

There are several indications that you should replace your coolant hose. Here are a couple of the signs that you should look for:

How Long Does It Take To Replace A Coolant Hose?

When the coolant hose on your vehicle breaks, it can cause substantial damage to your engine if you never have it fixed. The longer you go without fixing it, the more damage your engine will incur.

You should replace a broken or leaking coolant hose as soon as possible, so it’s good to know how long it will take on your vehicle. The average time for a coolant hose replacement is around one to two hours.

Can I Drive With a Broken Coolant Hose?

It’s never a good idea to drive around with a damaged coolant hose. When it breaks, you risk cracking the engine block.

If your coolant hose requires replacing, make sure you take it into a shop as soon as possible.

It’s not safe to drive around with a broken hose, and it can cause expensive damage if left unfixed for too long.

How to Check if Your Coolant Hose is Broken

If you think your coolant hose is broken, there are a few indications to look out for.

One of the first things you can do is check your vehicle’s coolant levels. You will need to add more coolant before going anywhere if it’s low. If, after refilling, the level goes back down, this could be a sign that there’s a leak in your coolant hose.

If you notice your car running hotter than usual, it may be time to have your coolant hose checked out. It is also important to be aware of any strange smells coming from your vehicle.

A loud gurgling or hissing noise could also indicate that you have a broken coolant hose that needs to be replaced as soon as possible.

Another thing you can do is check for coolant under the hood. If it looks to be leaking, this could also be another sign that your vehicle has a broken or cracked coolant hose.

Finally, taking your car into an auto shop is the easiest way to determine if your coolant hose needs to be replaced.

How Often Does a Coolant Hose Need To Be Replaced?

Depending on the make and model of your vehicle, a coolant hose will need to be replaced around 60,000 to 90,000 miles. The average length is 75,000 miles.

If you use your vehicle every day, it’s more likely that you will need to replace the hoses more frequently.

The climate you live in can also contribute to how often you replace your coolant hose. You will need to change it more frequently in a hot and dry area because the hoses have less condensation and coolant.

What Are the Side Effects of Not Replacing a Coolant Hose?

If you do not replace your coolant hose, it can cause major damage to your vehicle. Coolant will start leaking out when the hose breaks, and you will need to refill it often.

Without fixing this problem quickly, it can cause damage to many other parts of your engine. If the leak is left unfixed for too long, it can cause the engine to overheat.

This type of damage is costly and can often cost as much as a new car.

How Hard is It to Replace a Coolant Hose?

The process of replacing your coolant hose is not very complicated and does not require many tools.

Depending on your knowledge level and how hard it is to access your hose, it takes just a couple of hours to complete.

Coolant hoses are typically not very hard to replace, but they should still be done by a professional if you do not know what you’re doing. It is easy to make mistakes during this process which can cause other parts of your engine to break down.

If you want the job done right the first time around, it’s a good idea to take your vehicle into a shop and have a professional replace the hose.

Conclusion

Replacing a broken coolant hose is an important job that you should do as soon as possible. If you ignore the problem and try to drive your vehicle with a broken hose, it can cause consequential damage to your engine.

To avoid having costly automotive repairs, it is highly recommended that you fix the problem quickly by having a professional replace your hose.