Community Forums

**CountryFit** · 11-19-2019, 10:54 AM

In need of about 100' 3/4" ID coolant hose. On OAT coolant now with an ISC350, I read that silicone based hose isn't good, but reinforced EPDM is the way to go. Some use aramid/kevlar vs textile layers ... Too many brands/features in the market, of course prices are all over the place...

Your recommendations are highly appreciated.

tom chelbana · 11-19-2019, 04:16 PM

On our Essex motor home we had to replace all the heater hoses because even though the coach was only 2 years ago we had 3 different times that the hose burst open. The hose was labeled standard grade which would be the cheapest heater hose. Installed marine grade heater hose which has a green strip and was twice as thick as the standard grade. It was almost 250 feet of hose to replace all heater hose. Did add gate valves to all connections so if the future we had a leak we wouldn't flood the outside cabinets. A large job which was a 40 plus hour job. Any coach with heater hose marked standard grade are very likely burst.
Newmar Man

**CountryFit** · 11-19-2019, 05:42 PM

Thanks Tom. Our green heater hoses were made by Flexfab. After nearly 20 years it gets mushy. Certainly it's going to be a challenge but looks like doable. Cross fingers :-).

Jthigh · 11-19-2019, 07:06 PM

I just replaced all my heater and radiator hoses. I put in what was originally installed. Parker 7186 series. I ordered it from a Parker distributor directly. I figured if it lasted 17 years I’m good with that and the price was less than standard duty hose at local auto center. Also, NAPA makes a Gold Line that is heavy equipment rated. Our local Fleet pride carries the Gates Green Line that should be good as well.

hockeydiesel · 11-19-2019, 08:02 PM

Gates Green Stripe 3/4 x 50 ft. PN 28442 $106 plus shipping Rock Auto Gates Green Stripe 5/8 x 50 ft. PN 28441 $81 plus shipping Rock Auto You can also buy in longer length (300 ft.) at a little better price. Good Luck, Mike.

Spk64 · 11-19-2019, 08:22 PM

When I replaced some heater hoses going to Hydrohot from engine. I also used the Gates Green Stripe, was a much heavier hose than the original hoses.
In the image below hose on left is the Gates, on right was the original hose. Original hose was soft and cut like a hot knife thru butter. The new gates hose was much tougher and took some work to cut through.

Click image for larger version

Name: 4mwzGcG-0%21sizeoriginal.jpg
Views: 57
Size: 409.7 KB
ID: 267416

**CountryFit** · 11-19-2019, 09:08 PM

Great info, thank you all! This is exactly the info I was looking for. Love this board!

lwmcguire · 11-20-2019, 05:11 AM

My hose is actually 3/4 inlet and 5/8 return

It disappears behind the generator and reappears just past the wet bay near the engine

There are 90 degree ball valves at the engine

How do you replace the hose that is hidden for 30 feet or so? Can you pull it through?
Dont need to now but curious

tom chelbana · 11-20-2019, 07:27 AM

When we replaced all the heater hoses on our 04 Essex in 2006 we had to run hoses outside frame area. Did cover heater hose with protective cover and then went put a metal shield over the heater hoses.

Milford 47 · 11-20-2019, 08:45 AM

Thanks Tom, was thinking that might be the only way, the hose is somewhere buried above the frame

Smitty77 · 11-20-2019, 09:37 PM

I've had good luck using Gates hoses on many applications over the years. And salute, for doing this on your time and your schedule - vs having to do so perhaps in a less then ideal circumstance...

Best,
Smitty

Spk64 · 11-21-2019, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lwmcguire

.............
How do you replace the hose that is hidden for 30 feet or so? Can you pull it through?.........

When I replaced the hoses from Engine to Hydrohot which was a much shorter distance. I was able to use the old hose and pull new hose through with it.
Do not think I could do that with the hose to the front. As Tom said might just have to be on out side of the rails.

Jthigh · 11-21-2019, 07:28 AM

Have you confirmed that they ran the hose all the way from back to front? Just did all our hoses and on ours they installed metal tubing that ran along the frame in the mid section. Heater hoses connected to metal tubing just in front of the rear differential before it went into the basement area and stopped at the front behind the generator. Had to squeeze up and work around rear end and pull out genny to access front connections but didn’t have to run along the frame in the mid section.

Good luck.

tom chelbana · 11-21-2019, 08:33 PM

After having 3 times in the first 2 years have the outside cabinet soaked in Antifreeze I wasn't going to just to sectional replacement. Would again suggest gate valves on the heater hoses leaving the engine so if a leak ever comes up you can shut the flow off and still drive. When our hoses were bursting we just didn't know which hose on the engine needed to plugged so we could drive the coach. One time we were down for 8 hours finding which of the many hoses were the one that was causing the leak.
Newmar Man