This hose is soft and flexible at the end attached to the engine, but firm along most of the hose to the end attached to the expansion tank. Is this normal, or is the hose defective where it is soft ?

 

David, if it is soft only in a limited location, that is the hose starting to break down. Now is the time to replace it before it fails and leaves you stranded. Granted, my memory is saying that the hose should be soft, not hard. Either way, the hose has an issue. Been too many years since I had my X-Type and things are starting to not be as clear as they once used to be.

 

Many thanks, Thermo. I have ordered a new hose and am curious to see how it compares with the old one.