Oil Cooler Hoses

[jhfleet]

I decided it might be time to replace the water/coolant hoses to the oil cooler on my '96 3.4 T4R seeing as how they were 19 years and 107000 miles old. It was a straight forward job and wasn't difficult except the hose clamps on the oil cooler and the block return line were a PITA to get to. The only parts removed for access were the left front tire and splash curtains. The skid pans were already off but this probably wasn't necessary. FWIW, the hoses looked pretty good and were still flexible. They probably would have lasted another 19 years.

 

[nobb]

Bumping an old thread, but just confirming that BOTH the two hoses (the U shaped one and the one that goes to the water pump) are accessible from the wheel well?

Also, regarding the long hose that goes to the water pump, does anyone know if you can simply use a standard 3/8" coolant hose or do you have to stick with the OEM pre-bent hose? eg. does it get in the way of anything.

 

[kball]

I did them while doing my timing belt. Pretty much got them from the wheel well but I probably got the water pump end from the front since that was opened up at the time. I would go with the OEM hoses. It runs pretty close to the exhaust so all those bends are important I think. Plus I think mine came with an extra layer of hose in certain places for abrasion resistance.

Edit: as you can see from the pic, the longer hose is doubled for 1/2 of the length.

 

[LittleCaesar]

I'll add that pulling the alternator helped me greatly to get to them. While you have the alternator out you can replace the brushes as long as you still have the original one.