Coolant hose help

Emcemv · August 20, 2015, 03:09:42 PM

Hey guys, the lower radiator hose which is 3" ID and is a piece of wire reenforced flex hose about 36" long on mine. It has to be a good flexible hose because I have the Scenic radiator setup where the radiator is on the side and is hinged and swings out for access.

I replace this last year but I'm not happy, the 36" long hose hits the engine door, I have cut it down but you can't cut the flex hose much and it is still too long.

Does anyone have a vendor for flex hoses like this? I need one about 24" or 30" long. Napa and Fleet Pride both have the 36" ones but nothing shorter. Have not tried Luke yet and I should do that.

Any help would be appreciated.

Bruce

chessie4905 · August 22, 2015, 06:09:22 AM

An alternative option could be a piece of curved tubing with two short straight sections of hose; green stripe. A muffler shop capable of bending 3 inch tubing could take care of the curving/bending.

luvrbus · August 22, 2015, 07:01:07 AM

A good hydraulic hose shop will make the hose ,don't buy the plastic junk they make it from silicone hose with the wire on the inside not cheap though

belfert · August 22, 2015, 07:37:54 AM

Would a national brand like Pirtek makes hoses like this?

Make sure to use constant tension clamps with silicone hose.

Boomer · August 22, 2015, 01:31:09 PM

Bruce, using silcone hose in your neck of the woods is inviting coolant leaks unless you keep your block heater on in the winter. I am standard on Goodyear Hi Miler coolant hose, for that reason. Don't know if they make flexible hose though, have only used straight sticks. HTH

Emcemv · August 22, 2015, 02:08:46 PM

Hey guys, thanks for the replies. This hose has to flex a lot, the radiator is hinged and moves out of the way for Service so I need something real flexible. I have thought about using 2 shorter pieces of flex with a solid pipe in between but I have not found any 3" flex except for the 3' piece I have. I'm going to call around next week and see what I can find.

This is one of those stupid things that should be easy but it's not!

Will give Luke a call and also try Pirtek.

Boomer, I took your advice a while back and did not go with silicone hoses, used std Gates stuff.

Planning some trips this fall and can't run with it the way it is, the hose is rubbing on the back door.

Jim Eh. · August 22, 2015, 05:29:28 PM

If you do use a solid tube in the middle make sure you put some beads at each end of the tube to prevent the hose from sliding off.