Coolant hose question

JDaPP · **Posted:** Mon Jun 27, 2016 4:28 pm

Couple of questions on Coolant hoses:

- Lower coolant hose. I ordered a replacements from gates. The OEM one has a spring, the Gates one does not (Gates was significantly cheaper, they have a good name and I didn't realize this was a thing at the time). I am assuming that the spring is to keep it from collapsing? Does it serve any other purpose or would I be good to use the Gates one without the spring?

- The other Coolant hoses (Coolant bottle, heater, etc.). Are they anything special or would standard coolant line from AutoZone/NAPA work? I realize some have special curves but a lot of them don't look that special (until you see the OEM price...).

Thanks

papaindigo · **Posted:** Tue Jun 28, 2016 9:46 am

IMHO the only function of the internal spring is to prevent the hose from kinking on bends. If you can get it out reuse the old spring; if not don't worry about it.

The other hoses are just regular "heater" hose with the appropriate diameters. If solid, not mushy, and not cracking they last a long time as diesel engines don't run as hot as gassers. That said regular heater hose replacements are fine as long as there are no kinks on the curves. As for the "special" curved pieces I suspect you can go to a good parts store like NAPA and browse hoses for a hose or hose segment that will match a critical curve.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Tue Jun 28, 2016 11:50 am

papaindigo wrote:

IMHO the only function of the internal spring is to prevent the hose from kinking on bends. If you can get it out reuse the old spring; if not don't worry about it.

Partially true; While the spring will prevent a hose from kinking in bends the springs primary purpose is to keep the hose from collapsing during operation. Remember, the water pump pulls its suction from the bottom of the radiator and if the thermostat is closed and no flow is entering the radiator the water pump can pull enough suction to collapse a soft hose and cause problems with low flow. The repeated collapsing and uncollapsing of soft rubber hose over time can lead to rubber cracking and early hose failure!!!
Some hose manufactures put wire inside the rubber (cannot see it, but you can feel the stiffness) to stiffen the hose to prevent collapsing.

Just watch out for the cheap chinese junk which may not have the proper protection built in.... :roll:

If you buy a new good quality name brand hose, i.e. Dayco, Gates, NAPA, etc, it should already be designed with the proper protection built in along with the proper molded curves for any bends to prevent kinking... :wink:

JDaPP · **Posted:** Wed Jun 29, 2016 9:52 pm

Thanks for all the info. The gates is made in the USA and has the proper kinks but is a little more flexible than I care for so I may steal the spring from the old one.

WWDiesel · **Posted:** Wed Jun 29, 2016 10:03 pm

JDaPP wrote:

Thanks for all the info. The gates is made in the USA and has the proper kinks but is a little more flexible than I care for so I may steal the spring from the old one.

A little added insurance never can hurt!!!!! :rockon:

Mike92104 · **Posted:** Thu Jun 30, 2016 2:42 am

JDaPP wrote:

Thanks for all the info. The gates is made in the USA and has the proper kinks but is a little more flexible than I care for so I may steal the spring from the old one.

I also stole the braided cover off the old one. It's just held on by an oversized rubber band essentially. I liked the idea of the extra protection from abrasion.

Coolant hose question

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