X5 3.0L Heater Hoses

[Harley Monster]

Has anyone had any problems with the heater hoses on the 3.0L X5? Has anyone had any kind of failure? If so, at what time and mileage on the X5?

I am just finishing up the repair after a catastrophic water pump faillure, I replaced everything on the front of the engine involving the cooling system. Is was a very easy repair with no surprises.

I replaced both radiator hoses, my X5 is a 2001 with 98,000 miles and original hoses. All the hoses showed no damage whatsoever. They were soft, supple, no cracks inside or out...I don't think they needed to be replaced but my Bentley manual recommends replacement every 4 years and I was at twice that period.

I purchased 3 heater hoses and were going to change them out, but now I have found that there are 4 heater hoses. Their condition is similar to the radiator hoses and I really don't think they need to be replaced.

Has anyone replaced the heater hose that runs behind the engine? I can't even find where it goes from above or below and the Bentley book is no help.

Any BMW trained technicians have any advice for me? If so, should I replace these hoses? If so, how do you get to that hose that goes behine the 3.0L engine?

[Weasel]

The heater hoses usually don't give any problems except for at the very ends where the hose clamps are, there can be some seepage over the years that causes a green/white crust to form. But that is an easy fix just by cutting about 1" from the end and re-clamping.

The rubber hose parts are not what usually goes over time, but the plastic ends get very brittle and that's where the problems come from. (just changed my upper and lower hoses recently for that reason)

[Harley Monster]

Thanks Weasel, I changed out my radiator hoses and purchased the heater hoses, but after take a close look at the radiator hoses after they were removed I don't think the heater hoses need replacing at this time. I have no seapage at the ends and the body of the hoses look brand new.

[Harley Monster]

Weasel, do you know where that heater hose goes behind the engine and the best way to get to the end of it? The other 3 attach to the firewall connection, the 4 takes a hike behind the engine and I can not find the end.

[Weasel]

This depiction on realoem helps show it kinda.

RealOEM.com BMW E53 X5 3.0i Water valve/Water hose IHKA

As for getting to it, it would be a matter of removing the microfilter bulkhead for extra room and going back behind the engine stretch armstrong style.

[Harley Monster]

Thanks Weasel...I have been a car guy my entire life...I'm 64, and I have never had a water hose of any type break on any car...however, I do a lot of preventative maintenance being an x-aircraft mechanic. I was looking to find out if anyone on this forum has had an actual failure of the heater hoses and if so at what point in the cars life...years and miles.

That hose that goes behind the engine is so hard to get to I think I will just continue to inspect these hoses periodically, looking for leaks at the hose ends as you suggest and continue to monitor the general condition of the hoses.

I have a '91 Mercedes SL500 that still have original hoses on them and they appear new on inspection...sometimes the rule "If it aint broke, don't fix it" applies.

Thanks again for your information.

[Weasel]

The good thing about coolant is when there is a light seepage it leaves the tell tale crust that makes it easy to spot upon inspection.