Thread: Silicone radiator top hose - not D2 specific

When I was changing all my engine related hoses about six months ago (preventative maintenance in preparation for the big circle/loop), my then mechanic decided NOT to use the silicone radiator top hose, saying that if it slipped off I would be up the proverbial **** creek. Sounded weird to me, but I let it past at the time. I do now have a standard new top hose complete with low coolant alarm from Daves interesting things.
Every time I look in my workshop, I see this forlorn blue hose looking at me. Even if I needed to fit those special hose clamps, I would have thought the silicone version was better insurance, albeit I should be safe for the next 100K/7 years with the new OEM version. I still have my original as a spare and it looks to be in pretty good nick.
Any comments from the wise? (I've already had an offer to take the silocone one off my hands thanks).

As an aside, is it also worth changing all my brake hoses (and obviously fluid etc) before I head off - car has done 160K mainly initially Vic country roads for 135K/7 years and now Perth suburbs and about 2K gravel/sand.

Originally Posted by gavinwibrow

When I was changing all my engine related hoses about six months ago (preventative maintenance in preparation for the big circle/loop), my then mechanic decided NOT to use the silicone radiator top hose, saying that if it slipped off I would be up the proverbial **** creek. Sounded weird to me, but I let it past at the time. I do now have a standard new top hose complete with low coolant alarm from Daves interesting things.
Every time I look in my workshop, I see this forlorn blue hose looking at me. Even if I needed to fit those special hose clamps, I would have thought the silicone version was better insurance, albeit I should be safe for the next 100K/7 years with the new OEM version. I still have my original as a spare and it looks to be in pretty good nick.
Any comments from the wise? (I've already had an offer to take the silocone one off my hands thanks).

As an aside, is it also worth changing all my brake hoses (and obviously fluid etc) before I head off - car has done 160K mainly initially Vic country roads for 135K/7 years and now Perth suburbs and about 2K gravel/sand.

On the silicone radiator hose: it's made by a mob that have been making silicone hoses for the UK motorsport scene for over a decade and I'm guessing if their radiator hose were prone to slipping off we would have heard something by now

In all seriousness the cooling system is only pressurised to something like 15psi. Silicone hoses stand up to 25+psi without any trouble in turbo usage, so it's unlikely they'll "slip off".

In terms of brake hoses: the service schedule recommends the brake hoses and all seals in the brake system be done every 6 years or 120,000km. I doubt you'll have any dramas if you don't but it would ensure your brakes are 100%.

cheers
Paul