If the hoses look ok and aren't showing signs of cracking I'd leave them but keep an eye on them.
Worth flushing with a flushing agent, this will hopefully clear some of the scale from the hoses and the rest of the system.
Don't forget to put the heating on full to make sure that the flushing agent circulates through the heater matrix.
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Hi Mike,
One thing to beware of is that automotive instruments are not really worth the name - they are the cheapest possible devices, connected to the poorest quality sensors (Fuel injected cars usually have a seperate, better quality device for the regulation of fuel). I wouldn't go to much expense on a cooling system unless the gauge begins to tell you something unusual. i.e. a gauge that has sat in the middle for N thousand miles suddenly reads higher or lower than this.
When you flush it, take a look at the inside of your hoses, and look for damage. Deposits are to be expected, and shouldn't be the cause of your investment in a new set of hoses. BTW - how much will a set of hoses cost?
Of course, if you see damage, or perished rubber, a hose change is called for.
number_cruncher
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My view is always replace the top hose on any car if it's older than 5 years and/or new to you. Or any hose that has lots of rubber welded connections (heater hoses) and is subject to heat - either exhaust or water. The Peugeot 106 diesel hose on the timing belt side is a classic for splitting after 5-7 years- at the bleed valve is where SWMBO's went. £35 for a replacement...
A little money spent can save an engine blowup due to a split at high speeds on a motorway. Been there.. done that.. don't want to do it again...
madf
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I usually buy 4 year old used cars, and I always replace the rubber hoses under the bonnet and rubber bushes on the suspension, as I eventually learned tehse always failed during my ownership, so I may as well replace them and start with a clean bill of health, rather than keep breaking down, or having the car in a garage and replacing them for the next owner's benefit.
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If the hoses have so much deposit that you can actually feel them crunch, think about the similar thickness of deposits everywhere else in the system.
I think there are two issues here:
1) is scale in the system. I'd certainly flush it. Then a back-flush with a hosepipe.
2) is whether as a precaution it is worth replacing hoses just on a time basis. If they are 5 years old I'd replace them all as a precaution just for piece of mind.
Then refil with plenty of good quality antifreeze/inhibitor. Coolant that is properly protected and changed every two years shouldn't produce deposits.
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Thanks for the good advice. I don't know much about the history of the car as it came with no details other than a top end rebuild after cambelt failure, it may well be that some of the hoses were replaced then - I've got a copy of the bill so I can check. Seems unlikely judging by the deposits - could be that the last owner just got it fixed up as cheaply as possible.
I was initially concerned about lack of history, but I got it at the right price & it sailed through the MOT just needing a rear exhaust box. It started life as an Avis car - could be good or bad news I guess! - and now the por thing is suffering at the hands of a learner!
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One thing to beware of is that automotive instruments are not really worth the name - they are the cheapest possible devices, connected to the poorest quality sensors (Fuel injected cars usually have a seperate, better quality device for the regulation of fuel). I wouldn't go to much expense on a cooling system unless the gauge begins to tell you something unusual. i.e. a gauge that has sat in the middle for N thousand miles suddenly reads higher or lower than this.
Number Cruncher, the problem here is that I've only had the car a few weeks and I may have acquired it with a problem rather than one becoming apparent. As I've never had a Megane before I have no idea where the needle should be - all I know is that it hasn't boiled over yet!
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Hi Mike,
I see your problem!
One thing to check is the thermostat. If your engine is really running cool, it is possible that someone has taken the thermostat out. The consequences of engines running cool are serious in the long term, and should be avoided.
To check the thermostat, start the engine from cold. Taking care to avoid moving parts, feel the temperature of both the engine side of the thermostat housing, and the top hose. The top hose shouls stay cool until the thermostat opens when it will suddenly get hot. A more in depth check is to take the 'stat out, and heat it in an old pan, and watch the valve open.
Someone will be along in a moment saying that they always fit a new thermostat on their car every so often! ;-) Where will it end?
number_cruncher
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