 | Home > Technical > Rubber or silicone coolant hoses???? |
 
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| Caterham Member Since: 06 Nov 2008 Location: Birmingham Posts: 6308   
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I'd be interested to know too.
I suspect it's a case of they look pretty and are longer lasting / stronger? |
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25th Sep 2014 9:21pm |
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| munch90 Member Since: 26 Oct 2013 Location: guildford Posts: 3558
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silicone are better , stronger but more expensive , but depends if your happy with how long the rubber ones have lasted
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25th Sep 2014 9:21pm |
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| Supacat Member Since: 16 Oct 2012 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 11018  
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I think there is a potential drawback with silicone hoses - they can leak/work loose after a relatively short period of time as they may need the clips re-tightening. Not sure of the technical reasons for this but it's happened twice to me and in mentioning it to others, a number of people have said the same.
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26th Sep 2014 4:48pm |
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| ZeDefender Member Since: 15 Sep 2011 Location: Munich Posts: 4731  
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 another thing to check... Tell someone you love them today because life is short.
But shout it at them in German because life is also terrifying and confusing... |
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26th Sep 2014 5:28pm |
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| martinfiattech Member Since: 13 Nov 2013 Location: leicester Posts: 422
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We fit a few silicone hoses on motorhome induction systems ( who would have thought they would go mad for blue hoses).
You may need stronger / stainless steel jubilee clips, or just use two clips per end. As the hose is stronger the clamping force required is greater. My self I don`t think most of would feel the benefit unless your really going all out or want to impress the boy racers at a Mc Donalds car show. Excuse the spelling I`am better with spanners and wires. |
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26th Sep 2014 8:55pm |
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| munch90 Member Since: 26 Oct 2013 Location: guildford Posts: 3558
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if I was in need of replacing a few hoses , I would go the silicone route ( would have to be black ) , but like its been said you really need better hose clips even proper jubilee clips would be ok I think , also with silicone hoses I've found tighten them leave for half hour then tighten again
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26th Sep 2014 9:02pm |
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| shaggydog Member Since: 12 Aug 2012 Location: Kent Posts: 3347 
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I have recently replaced my intercooler hoses with silicone ones.
I went for Terrafirma black ones as they were a good £100 cheaper than using new genuine ones. Secret with getting silicone hoses to stay put is to use some emery paper to gently rough up the inside of the hose on the first inch or so deep so that it has a dull face. This allows it to grip better than if its a shiny face. Did mine a few months back and still in exact same place I put them |
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26th Sep 2014 9:10pm |
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| K9F Member Since: 12 Nov 2009 Location: Bournemouth Posts: 9610 
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I too wrestled with silicone hoses when intercooler upgrading. I fitted stainless pipes with silicone end adaptors and didn't have much room as a result. I spent absolutely ages trying various methods to get them to fit including, heat application, emery/sandpaper, washing up liquid to name a few.
Finally got them to fit, hands cut to shreds went in for a coffee break and returned.......... .....just to find the b45t4rds had popped off again..... 
Funny now looking back but at the time it became a battle of wits and wills......me or the hoses! In the end I prevailed and was victorious but I do check them occasionally. Dull the inside face and go to a marine chandlers and upgrade to thicker stainless steel jubillee clips would be my advice too. If the vehicle is a 'keeper' worth the upgrade despite the potential frustration and pain if not OEM.  If you go through life with your head in the sand....all people will see is an ar5e!!
Treat every day as if it is your last....one day you will be right!! |
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27th Sep 2014 9:12am |
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| ZeDefender Member Since: 15 Sep 2011 Location: Munich Posts: 4731
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Just checked mine - still tight after a few months (with the original LR clips). Didn't stop me giving them another 1/2 turn though
 Tell someone you love them today because life is short.
But shout it at them in German because life is also terrifying and confusing... |
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27th Sep 2014 9:54am |
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| gilarion Member Since: 05 Dec 2013 Location: Wales Posts: 5111  
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Trouble with using silicone coolant hoses is as said; Silicone hoses need a greater amount of force to stay put. The trouble is the amount of torque required to the clamp the hoses to the radiator can distort the tubular connectors which are only made with relatively thin steel and once distorted they can leak.
You do not have the same problem with intercooler hoses as the connecting pipes are of a much thicker grade steel. |
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27th Sep 2014 10:48am |
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| pannawonica Member Since: 21 Nov 2010 Location: Clackline Western Australia Posts: 568 
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what surprised me was how thin the standard rubber ones where . I found out when I fitted a set from Gary at Alive
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30th Sep 2014 9:45am |
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