Thread: 300 Tdi Defender coolant hoses

Since I'm about to do a coolant change in the Defender (300Tdi) and since the hoses have probably never been changed in its 12 year life I figure it's time for new hoses. Regarding this, a couple of questions have come to mind. I can get a bottom hose for about $100 and was all set to do so but then someone else told me that he will only sell genuine ones that cost $180 because the $100 ones (that are made in Spain or somewhere) are crap, and the genuine ones are of vastly superior quality. Also, at what interval are folks replacing hoses? How do you know when is the right time? I've probably been lucky getting away with twelve years but there you go.

Thanks Xavie. I have an "engine watchdog" fitted - not a low coolant alarm but a high engine block temp alarm. I don't know anything about silicone hoses but I just got a quote from Karcraft on hoses. Their OEM bottom hose is $117 (and $19 for top / $14 for bypass) so that's pretty good. They sell another non OEM brand bottom hose for about $73 which is very cheap but I'll go for the known quantity. What do other folks do when fitting a new set of hoses? Replace the heater ones too? What about the expansion tank hoses? Go the whole hog and do the lot?