Where do you get radiator coolant hose?

[garymc7]

For my 5 year hose replacement on my Savannah XL I need to find the 25mm radiator inlet and outlet hose with the wire coil for stiffness. 1m and 500mm. The list of places I've tried in Australia is getting ridiculously long - automotive, agricultural, bearing and hose specialists, rubber specialists, performance parts... Car radiator hose is too soft. Normal suction hose doesn't handle the temperature or the coolant chemicals. I'm told it has to be EPDM rubber but no-one can help. Any suggestions?

 

 

[crashley]

https://www.mycarperformance.com.au/silicone-auto-flex-wire-reinforced-hose-id-25mm-red.html

 

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/like/271811723603?lpid=107&chn=ps

 

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/like/252276642869?lpid=107&chn=ps

 

bert floods

 

I used gates silicone hose sourced from the local truck supplier and reused the wire coil spring from the old hose

 

I also used p bolt clamps on the 25mm hoses and single ear crimp hose clamps

 

https://zoxoro.com.au/Products/Size-11-16-17-mm-Oetiker-Stepless-Ear-Clamps-Single-Ear-Hose-Clamps-10-Pack.html?var=1117237422748346&gclid=CMzlxab_wtACFYNjvAod75oOhQ

 

 

[rick morawski]

For my 5 year hose replacement on my Savannah XL I need to find the 25mm radiator inlet and outlet hose with the wire coil for stiffness. 1m and 500mm. The list of places I've tried in Australia is getting ridiculously long - automotive, agricultural, bearing and hose specialists, rubber specialists, performance parts... Car radiator hose is too soft. Normal suction hose doesn't handle the temperature or the coolant chemicals. I'm told it has to be EPDM rubber but no-one can help. Any suggestions?

eBay is my friend, easier than searching around town, here's a couple I found in a few minutes. I used the wire reinforced silicon hose just because you don't have to change it in 5 years time.

Silicon- Wire Reinforced Silicone Hoses - AutoFlex Coolant & Radiator Pipes | eBay

 

EPDM rubber- 25mm 1" I.D Flexible EPDM Rubber Reinforced Radiator Coolant Hose Pipe Tube uk | eBay

 

Cheers

 

Rick

 

 

[garymc7]

Thanks for the replies. If possible I'd prefer not to build my own with wire and silicone hose or order something from the UK on EBay. Just wondering whether anyone in Australia has something? Bert Floods were not able to help as it's not a Rotax part.

 

 

[Kyle Communications]

send Dan3111 a message on here he knows the guys name in Brendale in Brisbane who has the hose we both got for our Savs...its silicone and excellent...expensive though. Its used on race cars

 

 

[garymc7]

Thanks, will do. Right now they could name their price!

 

 

[crashley]

what about Home /the australian savannah supplier

 

 

[Geoff13]

send Dan3111 a message on here he knows the guys name in Brendale in Brisbane who has the hose we both got for our Savs...its silicone and excellent...expensive though. Its used on race cars

I used the Guy that Dan recommends, he was brilliant and supplied everything I needed.

 

I have his card up at the Hangar and if I get up there tomorrow I will grab it for you.

 

As Mark said not cheap but then up there you don't always want cheap, you want good.

 

 

[Dr John]

I used the Guy that Dan recommends, he was brilliant and supplied everything I needed.I have his card up at the Hangar and if I get up there tomorrow I will grab it for you.

As Mark said not cheap but then up there you don't always want cheap, you want good.

The silicon tube I found on eBay came at a max length of 1 Metre. If someone can supply in longer lengths in Australia I reckon quite a few of us would be interested. It seems to come in rather jolly colours as well!

 

 

[geoffreywh]

There is , available from Enzed hoses, a wire coil with stiffening rib attached that goes over the outside of the hose to hold it in a particlar shape, I used it on my fuel tube to bypass the exhaust pipe.

 

 

[skippydiesel]

For my 5 year hose replacement on my Savannah XL I need to find the 25mm radiator inlet and outlet hose with the wire coil for stiffness. 1m and 500mm. The list of places I've tried in Australia is getting ridiculously long - automotive, agricultural, bearing and hose specialists, rubber specialists, performance parts... Car radiator hose is too soft. Normal suction hose doesn't handle the temperature or the coolant chemicals. I'm told it has to be EPDM rubber but no-one can help. Any suggestions?

From my long years playing with all things automotive, I find it extremely unlikely that the coolant hose internal coil has anything to do with "stiffness" - in fact stiffness is usually the opposite of what you want, which is a flexible, non vibration transmitting (between engine &radiator) hose. The fitting of an internal coil is usually to prevent the hose from collapsing. This should not be a problem with a standard Rotax cooling system. Reason being the Rotax system is a non sealed, expansion cap/bottle, coolant return system that should, if working correctly, NOT create the internal low pressure environment which caused some older automotive engines to experience collapsing of the lower radiator hose.

 

If your application requires very long radiator hoses then anti collapse springs may be appropriate.

 

Rotax (Bert Flood) does not supply radiator hoses because every 912 installation requires different hose lengths and profiles/bends.

 

I run a 912ULS (just passed 750hrs) in my Zephyr. I use good quality automotive hoses (without internal coil) that from experience/research I have found fit my application. They are definitely not "too soft" and are fully compatible with the coolants Rotax recommends. My local REPCO store was good enough to lend me a couple of their radiator hose catalogues. I used these to select/order hoses with the appropriate profile/bends in the correct ID (make sure they are long enough and then trim to your needs). I have ended up with a single hose (perfect fit) on the short right side and two hoses, joined by off the shelf metal joiner, on the long left. The left hose, due to length, is supported near mid way.

 

My only other advice would be to -

 

• make your hose trim cuts straight, leaving smooth edges
   
   
  
• use good quality hose clamps (yes there is good and bad) correctly tightened
   
   
  
• shield your hoses where they come close to the exhaust system - I use, where appropriate, automotive exhaust wrap and builders soft aluminium sheet safety wired in place.
   
   
  
• check recent hose installations FREQUENTLY (1hr, 5 hrs, 20 hrs and then every 50 hrs) for security and leaks.
   
   
  

 

 

I have experienced no problems with my set up (changed every 5 years in line with Rotax recommendations)

 

 

[garymc7]

Thanks, lots of sensible suggestions. The problem I experienced on my Savannah with automotive coolant hose was certain sections collapsed when bent around the engine mount with the radiator hanging off them, plus the need to use copper angle pieces to avoid creasing the tube in tight bends.

 

I found the solution in Australia here: Gates Wire Inserted Green Stripe Coolant Hose | Cars & Light Trucks

 

Unlike traditional suction hose it has an EPDM liner for chemical compatibility with coolant. Other hoses such as marine wet exhaust are made of nitrile which is not so good I understand. Also it is rated to a higher temperature - 125C. This hose also has a bend radius of 2" so great for snaking through the system. And with the wire reinforcement it doesn't squash. It is available in 5' and 10' lengths. My 5 foot length cost $99 inc GST from CBC bearing company and they got it in overnight.

 

All fitted and ready to go. Hope this helps others.

 

 

[skippydiesel]

Thanks, lots of sensible suggestions. The problem I experienced on my Savannah with automotive coolant hose was certain sections collapsed when bent around the engine mount with the radiator hanging off them, plus the need to use copper angle pieces to avoid creasing the tube in tight bends.I found the solution in Australia here: Gates Wire Inserted Green Stripe Coolant Hose | Cars & Light Trucks

 

Unlike traditional suction hose it has an EPDM liner for chemical compatibility with coolant. Other hoses such as marine wet exhaust are made of nitrile which is not so good I understand. Also it is rated to a higher temperature - 125C. This hose also has a bend radius of 2" so great for snaking through the system. And with the wire reinforcement it doesn't squash. It is available in 5' and 10' lengths. My 5 foot length cost $99 inc GST from CBC bearing company and they got it in overnight.

 

All fitted and ready to go. Hope this helps others.

Got a concern or two

 

• That you are bending radiator hose around engine mounting frame etc. This is why you should be purchasing tube with a bend "moulded" in - no wonder your radiator hose collapsed.
   
   
  
• Hose with wire insert, either as part of the tube or removable/reusable, is usually much heavier than regular automotive hose so significant & unnecessary weight penalty.
   
   
  
• Wire insert hose, although flexibly, retains its desire to straighten, placing side loads on flanges.
   
   
  
• Any more than one "connecting piece" per tube is way too much - weight & potential for failure.
   
   
  

 

 

If you take the time to flick through an quality (including Gates but many others) automotive radiator/ coolant hose catalogue you will find appropriate hose for your application. It will be compatible with Rotax recommended coolant, have the correct heat range, probably lighter than any "Wire Insert" hose and be less likely to transmit vibration or put unexpected forces/strain on light weight radiator flanges.

 

 

[garymc7]

Got a concern or two

• That you are bending radiator hose around engine mounting frame etc. This is why you should be purchasing tube with a bend "moulded" in - no wonder your radiator hose collapsed.
   
   
  
• Hose with wire insert, either as part of the tube or removable/reusable, is usually much heavier than regular automotive hose so significant & unnecessary weight penalty.
   
   
  
• Wire insert hose, although flexibly, retains its desire to straighten, placing side loads on flanges.
   
   
  
• Any more than one "connecting piece" per tube is way too much - weight & potential for failure.
   
   
  

 

 

If you take the time to flick through an quality (including Gates but many others) automotive radiator/ coolant hose catalogue you will find appropriate hose for your application. It will be compatible with Rotax recommended coolant, have the correct heat range, probably lighter than any "Wire Insert" hose and be less likely to transmit vibration or put unexpected forces/strain on light weight radiator flanges.

I hear what you're saying Skip. My intent was to go by what comes with the Savannah kit, which is a single hose on each side of the radiator which snakes around and is stiffened with wire. It appears to be a rubber suction hose. I was just trying to match it but with one that I could be sure is made for coolant. It appears that the hose also plays a role in keeping the radiator tucked up into the belly, which simply hangs off a couple of flexible mounts. Anyway I'm happy with the solution for this aircraft. Cheers.

 

 

[Blueadventures]

For my 5 year hose replacement on my Savannah XL I need to find the 25mm radiator inlet and outlet hose with the wire coil for stiffness. 1m and 500mm. The list of places I've tried in Australia is getting ridiculously long - automotive, agricultural, bearing and hose specialists, rubber specialists, performance parts... Car radiator hose is too soft. Normal suction hose doesn't handle the temperature or the coolant chemicals. I'm told it has to be EPDM rubber but no-one can help. Any suggestions?

Hi I'm replacing my coolant pipe system and need some hoses to connect up. I read that Silicone is becoming popular. What is the life and reliability of the 25mm id silicone hose and is it better to get the flexible wire reinforced type? Also best brand and ones not to buy will assist me. The metal pipes I'm fitting are specially made for Rotax 912 to rotax radiator in the UK. I'll post some images of the pipes fitted for general info as I hear good report about them and will eliminate long lengths of hose, measures to prevent collapse on suction side etc. Thanks Mike

 

 

[skippydiesel]

Check out Garymc7 comments - the hose you seem to want is made by Gates check out this web site:

 

www.gatesaustralia.com.au/products/automotive/...car.../cooling-system/coolant-hose

 

Your local REPCO is the retailer of choice. They may have to order in what you want.

 

After giving you all that, I must say I am amazed (possibly appalled) at the description by Garymc7 on how the makers of the Savannah kit mount the radiator. In the end I guess whatever works is whatever works.

 

I like the idea of silicon hose BUT the requirement for rubber replacement (5 years) is based on conventional hose etc - silicon is "breaking new ground" and as such is outside Rotax, RAA, and possibly the aircraft manufacturer recommendations.

 

 

[Blueadventures]

Hi I'm replacing my coolant pipe system and need some hoses to connect up. I read that Silicone is becoming popular. What is the life and reliability of the 25mm id silicone hose and is it better to get the flexible wire reinforced type? Also best brand and ones not to buy will assist me. The metal pipes I'm fitting are specially made for Rotax 912 to rotax radiator in the UK. I'll post some images of the pipes fitted for general info as I hear good report about them and will eliminate long lengths of hose, measures to prevent collapse on suction side etc. Thanks Mike

 

I found these lined hose clamps that seems like they would be good for both rubber a silicone coolant hose fit ups. Any one used them?

 

 

 

[onetrack]

These are the best hose clamps you can buy - Tridon T-bolt, stainless, with liner, and with rolled edges on both band and liner. Made in Australia, so you have the satisfaction of knowing that they do have a reliable level of QC.

 

TTBS Series - T-Bolt, All Stainless | Tridon

 

These hose clamps will not strip threads, as the cheaper hose clamp styles are prone to do - they provide excellent, even clamping pressure - and the rolled edges prevent the hose being cut when they are tightened.

 

 

[planesmaker]

Thanks one track always a challenge to find good quality clamps.