So I am about to replace all the hoses and water pump on my 2005 LR3. The Heater hose sent is for an LR3 with rear climate control. The question is can I remove the "T" fittings in the hoses and use a straight coupler instead of returning the hose and getting the non rear climate control hose set. any opinions on this welcomed.

 

So I just did this job and looked at my old hoses. Assuming the 'T' fitting is the same type of setup as the click-on fitting at the end of the hose, I would think you should be able to replace the T with a straight coupler. I just undid the spring clamp on the click-on fitting and it came right off, it's just a simple single-barb hose barb style fitting. I grabbed a pic for you too.

While you are doing this job, it's a great time to also replace your expansion tank if it's the original tank. The float part of the float switch will become saturated with coolant after time and give you a continuous 'low coolant' warning. With the old hoses removed, if you have an oil filter housing leak it's also a great time to take off the oil cooler and clean it up, remove any oil buildup from the two mating surfaces and apply a new gasket. You do not have to drain the oil for this (at least in an 06) and will only lose a pint or two of oil.

The hardest hose to change is the valley hose under the intake manifold, the one with the bleeder screw at the highest point. I was prepared to remove the intake manifold and then decided that what I could see of that hose looked to be in excellent shape, so I installed the accessible half of it and stored the unused part for a future need.

Picture of the host fitting removed to the heater core connection:

 

Don't forget about the small hose that goes between the throttle body and the EGR valve.

For some reason Lucky8 or Atlantic British don't include them with the hose replacement sets and don't sell it individually.

Not an expensive part and can be found on ebay.

LR006161 is the part number

 

Thanks for your pro tips on this job. I have indeed purchased a new coolant overflow reservoir. And I was able to get the EGR - TB Hose off of Amazon in a day.

 

One more tip for you that I've found useful. If you are replacing everything in the cooling system I'm assuming you are replacing the thermostat housing.

With the new housing it's easy to not want to disturb the 3 torx screws that separate it where the actual thermostat is.

I've found if you remove these screws so you can pour in coolant toward the pump and the other way toward the bottom of the radiator you will have an easier time bleeding the system. I think by pouring coolant to the pump you are priming the pump and getting the air bubbles out of the pump assembly and will make the bleeding process easier.