We’ll cover the different types of radiator hoses you’ll encounter and how to find the hoses that fit your car. We will also cover how much they cost and what other parts you need to get the job done.
Types of Radiator Hoses
Swapping in a set of silicone coolant hoses can brighten up an engine compartment.
All radiator hoses have the same core function but come in different shapes, flexibility, and materials. Upper radiator hoses and lower radiator hoses are shaped for their specific fitment and are not interchangeable.
The most common radiator hoses are made of molded synthetic rubber called EPDM. They’re soft and pliable while still holding their shape. EPDM hoses are durable, cheap, and easy to find, but they break down over time and can’t cope with extreme heat.
Silicone radiator hoses withstand much higher temperatures than EPDM hoses and don’t break down as quickly. The drawback is that they are more expensive, might not be as readily available, and require specific hose clamps that won’t damage the silicone.
Flexible radiator hoses, sometimes called accordion hoses, are ribbed EPDM or silicone that are not molded to a specific shape. They’re designed to bend without kinking and are often used in custom applications where molded hoses won’t fit. This is not what you’re looking for if you’re just doing a quick fix on your unmodified car.
How to Buy a Radiator Hose That Fits Your Car
Universal fit flexible stainless steel radiator hoses may be appropriate for old-school hot rods but not modern vehicles.
If you are looking for stock replacement rubber hoses, the
eBay Parts Finder
- opens in new window or tab.
will help you select the correct hoses for your car. Enter the make, model, engine, and year, click coolant hoses, and the parts finder will do the rest.
You can refine the search by brand, price, placement on the car, condition, and other criteria.
If you need help deciding which brand to buy or whether to pay a little more for name-brand parts, eBay listings often include product reviews as well as reviews of the seller. If you’re wondering whether an enticingly cheap set of silicone hoses is too good to be true, there’s likely a product review that will tell you whether to spend your money or cut and run.
How Much Should You Spend on Radiator Hoses
OEM radiator hoses may not be flashy, but they’re always a safe choice.
Radiator hose prices vary by brand, material, and the make and model of the vehicle they fit. Here’s a quick guide to what you’ll encounter:
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Silicone hoses are almost always more expensive than even original equipment EPDM hoses.
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Hoses for expensive or specialty cars cost more than radiator hoses for more affordable cars.
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Unbranded hoses are cheaper upfront but may fail sooner.
Even the same quality hose can cost more if you have a more expensive car. For example, genuine Honda upper and lower radiator hoses for a 2010 Civic cost less than $50 before taxes and shipping. By contrast, just the upper radiator hose for a 2012 BMW 335i is $84 before shipping. A silicone upper and lower radiator hose kit for the BMW costs $184 before shipping. A similar kit for the Civic is around $115.
Name-brand stock replacement parts, such as Gates or Continental, usually cost about the same as OEM parts. Unbranded parts can be had for as little as half the cost of OEM or name-brand parts.
Radiator hoses are critical for your car and prevent leaking coolant and overheating. Cutting costs here isn’t worth it in the long run.
Replace Both Radiator Hoses Together
This silicone kit for the 2011-2012 Dodge Ram 3500 includes the upper and lower radiator hoses, along with four hose clamps.
Unless you’re stranded somewhere and only need to replace one hose to get home, it’s wise and cost-effective to replace the upper and lower radiator hoses at the same time. It’ll give you peace of mind.
Replacing both radiator hoses at the same time also means you have to do a total coolant flush. That helps keep the new hoses in good shape. As it ages, coolant turns acidic and breaks down radiator hoses. It's good practice to run fresh coolant with new hoses.
You can use the
eBay Parts Finder
- opens in new window or tab.
to buy upper and lower radiator hose kits for some vehicles, and the kits often come with the correct hose clamps. Not all OEMs sell radiator hoses as a kit, so if you absolutely must have original parts, you might have to buy all the hoses separately. In either case, the parts finder can help you get what you need.
Radiator hose accessories
When you buy new radiator hoses, you should always buy new radiator hose clamps, especially if you are switching to silicone hoses. We recommend buying the correct, OEM hose clamps when you can. If you can’t get the OEM radiator hose clamps, look for high-quality hose clamps made for rubber or silicone hoses.
Do not be tempted by hardware store plumbing hose clamps. They’re made for metal or plastic pipes. They can easily cut into rubber or silicone hoses and ruin them.
Always use coolant that is formulated for your vehicle, and dilute coolant concentrate with distilled water. Coolant bottles usually list compatible makes and models, so pay close attention to the fine print.
Finally, it’s a good idea to keep a radiator hose repair kit on hand in case a hose fails in a place where you can’t get a good replacement hose. Repair kits usually consist of a piece of plastic tubing and some hose clamps. They’re just enough to temporarily patch a leak. They should only be used in a pinch and should be replaced as soon as possible.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.
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