What 1" heater hose do you recommend?

[belfert]

What brand and type of 1" heater hose would you guys recommend?  I need probably two 50 foot rolls.

I've looked at Goodyear Hi-Miler, but that stuff costs more than silicone!  Dayco Gold Label is less money, but almost impossible to find in 1".  I want to get something I shouldn't have to replace for a long time, but I don't want to break the bank either.

[JohnEd]

Brian,

I think it would help those that Know just what the operating environment might be.  In the engine bay with all the vapors and heat hoses of low quality seem to harden and deteriorate in just a couple years.  In other areas they hold up well and have a long life.  Two fifty foot roles would seem to indicate that you will have at least some small portion installed "outside" the engine bay environment .  Right?

If I had hard piping running the length of the coach, such as the front driver's defrost and heat,  I would go out of my way to use that and incorporate it in my plans. 

Just try'n to be helpful heah,

John

[belfert]

I want to replace and redesign the heater hoses going to the driver's heater and the defroster.  Since my bus is 43 feet I figure I would use up a good chunk of two 50 foot rolls.  If I find a place that sells by the foot all the better.

My bus was built in 1995 so they used long sections of heater hose instead of copper tubing.  I doubt copper would be cheaper these days.

I already had a larger hose for the heating system inside the engine compartment crack from age.  I want to proactovely replace this hose.

[Ncbob]

Brian, there's only one brand name hose I'll use...it's called "Gorilla" hose. It's a silicone hose that works well on Diesel engines and is virtually indestructable. Now, it's not cheap...but neither is labor or anti-freeze.

That's my learned opinion after working on Cummins Engines for years.

N Cbob

[DaveG]

You know what the Napa truck says...."get the good stuff"

[belfert]

Brian, there's only one brand name hose I'll use...it's called "Gorilla" hose. It's a silicone hose that works well on Diesel engines and is virtually indestructable. Now, it's not cheap...but neither is labor or anti-freeze.

Is this "Gorilla" hose really any better than any other silicone hose?  Most of the folks I've talked to here and elsewhere about this subject recommend good rubber hoses instead of silicone for heater hoses.  I need some 80 feet of hose for my project.  I can actually get silicone heater hose for less money than good rubber hose it appears.

My friend has recommended rigid copper instead of hose.  He works at a large commercial refrigeration company and might be able to get a deal on the copper.  At the minimum he can get the copper rolled so the hose won't slip off.  Will vibration hurt rigid copper?

[bevans6]

my personal experience with silicone hose is that it weeps when cold.  I've stopped using it except in high heat applications.  I would just buy high quality standard hose from a hydraulic supply house.  I wouldn't expect it to be cheap.

Brian

[JohnEd]

Brian,

My experience is that the silicone needs a really clean, if not polished, surface to seal against.  It failed for me when I hooked it up to a slightly rusted fitting that rubber sealed against without issue.  I found that coating the fitting with JB Weld and then slipping the hose on, really easy by the way, was a way to provide that smooth surface.  After the JB had hardened I tightened the clamp.  SEALED.

When I later took this joint apart, the fitting looked polished and perfect and the silicone came off easily and went on easy and sealed again.   Don't discard that silicone or be put off by it's being finicky.

[DMoedave]

We have copper running fore and aft from the 50's and there were leaks here and there. The only place we have  had any leaks since i have owned the bus are where there are rubber hose splices and connections. Copper works great but get L copper not the thinner M or tubing copper. It needs to be secured from vibration and you dont want any dissimilar metals touching it (electrolisis will cause pinhole leaks) I was hoping the heat pex would work for this run but it is usuallyu only rated to 200 degrees. Let us know what you end up using and how it works.

[belfert]

Brian, there's only one brand name hose I'll use...it's called "Gorilla" hose. It's a silicone hose that works well on Diesel engines and is virtually indestructable. Now, it's not cheap...but neither is labor or anti-freeze.

Is this Goodyear Gorilla hose?  The Goodyear product says it is for air and multipurpose.  It is not clear if it is compatible with coolant or not.