Every 16,000 km or 12 months.
Attention: The replacement of air conditioning system hoses must be carried out by specialists who have the appropriate equipment to safely depressurize the system. Never remove components or hoses from an air conditioning system while it is under pressure.
General information
1. Under the influence of high temperature in the engine compartment, rubber or plastic hoses of the engine, accessories and emission control systems can be destroyed. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically inspect them for cracks, leaks, material curing, and loose clamps.
2. Carefully inspect the large radiator hoses above and below, as well as the small diameter cooling system hoses and metal pipes. Don't forget to check the heater hoses/pipes from the engine to the baffle and also to the engine oil heat exchanger (if available). Inspect the hoses along their entire length, and if cracks, damage or degradation of the hose are found, replace it. Cracks are easier to find if the hose is squeezed (see fig. 8.2). If your system uses non-Ford-specified antifreeze and therefore needs to be replaced every two years, it makes sense to replace the hoses regardless of condition.
3. Make sure all hose connections are tight. If the large diameter air hoses of the air cleaner are leaking, this will impair engine idling (see fig. 8.3). If the spring clamps used to secure the hoses of this system have lost their elasticity, they must be replaced with worm clamps to prevent leaks.
4. Check the hose clamps to make sure they are tight and therefore leak free. Check hose connections where clamps are not used and make sure the hoses are tight and not hardened at the installation site.
5. Check all fluid reservoirs, filler caps, drain plugs, and fittings for leaks of oil, transmission fluid, brake fluid, coolant, or hydraulic steering fluid.
6. If you park your car in the same place, then in case of leaks, their traces will remain on the ground. In this case, you should not pay attention to wet spots that remain under the machine when using the air conditioning system. Place a sheet of thick paper under the car overnight. In the event of leaks, spots will remain on it, by which you can determine where and what is leaking. However, do not put combustible material under the catalytic converter.
7. Some leaks only show up when the engine is running. Apply the parking brake, start the engine from a cold state and. while the engine is warming up, inspect it from all sides and, most importantly, from below.
8. If any specific smell is felt in the cabin or near the car, this may indicate a leak.
9. After detecting the presence of a leak, you must immediately determine its source and eliminate the cause. When oil leaks, the engine usually becomes dirty due to dust adhering to the oil. In this case, the engine must be washed to locate the leak.
Vacuum hoses
10. Usually vacuum hoses, and especially in the extraction system, are color-coded (that is, they have a different color or color engraving on the outer surface). Different systems use vacuum hoses of different thicknesses, with different compression resistance and different temperature resistance. When replacing hoses, make sure that the new hoses are made from the same material as the ones being replaced.
11. Often the hose must be removed from the vehicle in order to perform a reliable test. If you are removing more than one hose, make sure the hoses and their installation locations are marked so that they can be reconnected correctly.
12. When checking vacuum hoses, check all plastic T-connections. Check these connections for cracks, and also check the hose installed on such a connection for deformation that can lead to leaks.
13. A small piece of vacuum hose can be used to detect leaks in vacuum hoses (with 1/4 inch inner diameter) as "stethoscope". Put one end of the hose to your ear and press the other against the vacuum hoses and connections, listening for the whistling sound that is characteristic of vacuum hose leaks.
Attention! Listening "stethoscope" vacuum connections, don't get too carried away and don't get caught in any rotating parts: belts, fan, etc.
Fuel hoses
Warning: When checking or servicing fuel system components, take the following precautions. Work in a well-ventilated area, avoid open flames (from cigarettes or electric lamps without a protective cap) near fuel system components. Wipe up spills immediately and do not leave fuel-soaked rags where they can ignite.
14. Check all fuel hoses for damage and wear. Pay particular attention to cracks at hose bends and near hose connections, such as the fuel filter hose connection.
15. When replacing fuel hoses, high-quality hoses with the designation - "Fluroelastomer" on their surface. Under no circumstances should vacuum hoses, plastic pipes or water hoses be used as fuel lines.
16. Spring clamps are commonly used to secure fuel hoses. They often lose their elastic properties over time, and therefore, when replacing hoses, such clamps should be replaced with screw clamps.
Metal pipelines
17. Metal pipes are often used as a fuel line between the fuel filter and the engine. Check that the pipes are not bent, kinked or cracked.
18. If you need to replace a metal fuel line, then choose only seamless steel pipes for this. Copper and aluminum pipes are not strong enough to absorb engine vibration.
19. Check the metal brake lines where they connect to the master cylinder and ABS hydraulic modulator (if available) for cracks in pipes and weakening of their connections. If a brake fluid leak is detected, the brake system must be carefully checked.
Visitor comments