Silicone coolant hose leaks

Juffa · Postby **Juffa** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 9:28 am

I have a silicone upper coolant hose on my 5. This is the one that runs between the radiator (PWR) and the thermostat housing. It is leaking at each end. I have constant torque hose clamps installed (same as I am using on my intercooler hoses, and Mazda uses on the MX-5 SP intercooler hoses). Both the radiator and thermostat pipes have been cleaned to try and ensure a good seal. Recently I tried taking the hose off and wrapping high temp plumbers tape around the pipes at either end, but this has not stopped the leaks. The coolant level in the overflow bottle drops by up to 1cm after a 2-3 hour run in the country.

Does anyone have some suggestions?

J

Steampunk · Postby **Steampunk** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 11:22 am

I bought something called "X-treme Tape" from Magnamail But it took 4 freakin' weeks to get to me though! :evil:

http://www.magnamail.com.au/Product_Detail.aspx?par=0&Cat=0&Prod=1162

It's made in the US so you can probably find a better and faster supplier.

Juffa · Postby **Juffa** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 12:12 pm

1red5 wrote:I bought something called "X-treme Tape" from Magnamail But it took 4 freakin' weeks to get to me though!
http://www.magnamail.com.au/Product_Detail.aspx?par=0&Cat=0&Prod=1162

It's made in the US so you can probably find a better and faster supplier.

Thanks Andrew. Did you use this tape to wrap the hose at each end to prevent leaks, or use it in some other way?

J

bruce · Postby **bruce** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 12:32 pm

Is the silicone hose the right diameter?
Perhaps replace the hose?

Juffa · Postby **Juffa** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 2:29 pm

bruce wrote:Is the silicone hose the right diameter?
Perhaps replace the hose?

I think the hose was part of a group buy earlier this year and should therefore be the right fit for a NA. I am thinking of replacing it with a OEM hose, but I thought I would check to see if anyone had experience with this.

J

Postby **Okibi** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 2:43 pm

I have sfs hoses and haven't had any dramas (also have a pwr). Is the car getting any hotter than usual? I wonder if you've got abnormally high pressure.

trader · Postby **trader** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 2:46 pm

Hi Juffa
I bought same hose in group buy and had the same problem with top hose. I tried everything including expensive clamps, tape but still it leaked. Have reverted to OEM top and bottom hose. I thought maybe they would be better suited to after market radiator where you maybe able to tighten them up further.

Juffa · Postby **Juffa** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 2:59 pm

Okibi wrote:I have sfs hoses and haven't had any dramas (also have a pwr). Is the car getting any hotter than usual? I wonder if you've got abnormally high pressure.

Last summer I had a lot of overheating issues. I have since put in a smaller intercooler, put the engine under tray back on and installed a stainless steel radiator cowl. All of this seems to be keeping the coolant temp under better control. Having said that I have seen the coolant temp hit around 96c at times. So yes, I believe that there are higher temps and therefore pressures involved.

J

Juffa · Postby **Juffa** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 3:01 pm

trader wrote:Hi Juffa
I bought same hose in group buy and had the same problem with top hose. I tried everything including expensive clamps, tape but still it leaked. Have reverted to OEM top and bottom hose. I thought maybe they would be better suited to after market radiator where you maybe able to tighten them up further.

Thanks trader. I was hoping that silicone hoses would last longer, take the extra heat and pressure generated in my engine bay. Might have to re-install the OEM top hose and see how it goes.....and keep the silicone hose in the boot just in case.

J

Boags · Postby **Boags** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 3:32 pm

This was a Boags' Group Buy... :oops:

To be honest, my hoses leaked too... The car is sold now though, I think from the last time I saw the engine bay the new owner replaced the silicone hoses.

Trap for younger players; eBay hoses are NOT cheaper, becasue you have to replace them more often.

Sorry guys.

Postby **Okibi** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 3:45 pm

I remember seeing a heat shrink style radiator clamp, perhaps one of these would work for now?

Fatty · Postby **Fatty** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 4:33 pm

you could JB Weld a lip onto your pipes, that would help seal the hoses a bit better.

Juffa · Postby **Juffa** » Wed Dec 17, 2008 4:40 pm

Boags wrote: To be honest, my hoses leaked too... The car is sold now though.

Yep that is one way of fixing the problem

Now if only the Miata plated SP was still available :wink:

J

Mr Morlock · Postby **Mr Morlock** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 11:08 am

You should not have to use tape or any other sealant if the hose is to spec assuming of course it is clamped correctly. OE product is made and checked to a spec whereas aftermarket can be anything- you should be able to get a credit as the hose is not fit for purpose ie it leaks.