Silicone Hoses
05-17-06, 01:56 AM
#1
Silicone Hoses
I was wondering if anyone else can help me decide what brand, label of silicone hoses i should get, or if i should even go silicone. My friend mentioned that Samco, makes good silicone hoses.
Why should i go silicone? and where is the benefit if i do go silicone... the hoses i have right now look pretty worn out. I already have some silicone hoses... i figured i should go all silicone'd haha... i use silicone hoses for some sensors... atleast that's the way i recieved the car. Any suggestions, or comments are gladly appreciated, and thanks in advance.
Samco:
http://www.samcosport.com/us/home.asp
Why should i go silicone? and where is the benefit if i do go silicone... the hoses i have right now look pretty worn out. I already have some silicone hoses... i figured i should go all silicone'd haha... i use silicone hoses for some sensors... atleast that's the way i recieved the car. Any suggestions, or comments are gladly appreciated, and thanks in advance.
Samco:
http://www.samcosport.com/us/home.asp
05-17-06, 07:03 AM
#2
Senior Member
Silicone is mainly used to dress up an engine bay (pretty colors). It a good replacement to the rubber ones due to the fact that if you search good you can get a roll of it for pretty cheap compared to the rubber. Its easier to use and will last A LOT longer than the rubber you would normally use...
05-17-06, 07:21 AM
#3
It's a better material to use for some things. Do not use it on anything gas/oil related.
Like crickifur said, it has the advantage of colors. If you're thinking of clearcoating stuff, polishing, etc., non-black silicone hoses would probably look nice.
Personally, I think if you just put in colored hoses and nothing else it looks tacky (rice...).
Like crickifur said, it has the advantage of colors. If you're thinking of clearcoating stuff, polishing, etc., non-black silicone hoses would probably look nice.
Personally, I think if you just put in colored hoses and nothing else it looks tacky (rice...).
05-17-06, 07:31 AM
#4
http://www.dowcorning.com/content/ru...ganics.asp#hcr
http://www.corryrubber.com/main/ns/6...tegory/1/_id/3
http://www.corryrubber.com/main/ns/6...tegory/1/_id/3
http://hightempsilicone.com/category/auction_faq#q11
Can your silicone vacuum hose be used in a fuel/oil environment?
Silicone has very poor resistance to fuel and oils. Silicone hoses should never be used as oil drain lines or fuel lines. Over time the silicone will swell and the physical properties will diminish to the point where the hose will fail. On certain vehicles like the Mazda RX7 there are a lot of aromatic hydrocarbons flowing through the vacuum lines. We have seen evidence of oil contamination in these lines where the silicone has actually swelled to the point where the hoses crumble.
If you need an oil resistant material, please look at our Viton Vacuum hoses.
Can Viton be used as oil return or fuel lines?
Viton was made to survive torturous environments in constant contact or submersed in hydrocarbon oils and fuels. Viton has the best resistance to oil and fuel our of all of the polymers available. This is basically a �plug and play� material in the rubber industry. If you need a material that will be in contact with any fuel or oil this would be my first choice.
Can your silicone vacuum hose be used in a fuel/oil environment?
Silicone has very poor resistance to fuel and oils. Silicone hoses should never be used as oil drain lines or fuel lines. Over time the silicone will swell and the physical properties will diminish to the point where the hose will fail. On certain vehicles like the Mazda RX7 there are a lot of aromatic hydrocarbons flowing through the vacuum lines. We have seen evidence of oil contamination in these lines where the silicone has actually swelled to the point where the hoses crumble.
If you need an oil resistant material, please look at our Viton Vacuum hoses.
Can Viton be used as oil return or fuel lines?
Viton was made to survive torturous environments in constant contact or submersed in hydrocarbon oils and fuels. Viton has the best resistance to oil and fuel our of all of the polymers available. This is basically a �plug and play� material in the rubber industry. If you need a material that will be in contact with any fuel or oil this would be my first choice.
05-17-06, 07:55 AM
#5
Lives on the Forum
And now for some real-world data...
I've been using a 6mm I.D. HKS (blue) silicone vacuum hose for the PCV -> TID connection for some time now.
I have recently replaced this hose with some 1/4" (carb) fuel hose.
I was using the silicone hose for over 5 years under those conditions.
This hose sucks up a lot of the "crankcase" and charcoal canister vapors and allows them to be sucked up into the turbo (and then into the engine) to be burned.
Over the years, the hose did swell.
I'd estimate the I.D. grew about 1mm larger than original.
There were no signs of crack or "crumbling".
There was a LOT of nasty stuff (i.e. fluid) inside the hose at any one time.
At one point, I forgot to put the hose back into the TID, and it was spewing crap all over the engine frame rail.
I was worried about the hose, so I replace with fuel hose that was 99 cents a foot available from any car parts store.
Now, using silicone hose for *FUEL* is just plain stupid.
Through my experience, using it for "emissions" hoses is okay.
If you're paranoid, use carb fuel hose for safety sake.
Connections to the oil filler neck and to-and-from the charcoal canister are the ones you gotta worry about.
Recommending Viton is just plain ludicrous.
This stuff can be as expensive as $10 A FOOT!
Who the hell would pay for **** like that when regular carb fuel hose works just as well?
Those emissions hoses are not pressurized that much.
1/4" carb fuel hose is like $1 PER FOOT.
I've use that HKS silicone hose for almost 10 years without failure.
Sure, it did swell.
It was basically always soaked in precipitate from the crankcase oil and gasoline vapors, but it did not crumble.
Silicone hose will handle more heat than most rubber hoses.
It will also last longer than most rubber hoses, if kept away from petroleum based fluids and vapors.
-Ted
I've been using a 6mm I.D. HKS (blue) silicone vacuum hose for the PCV -> TID connection for some time now.
I have recently replaced this hose with some 1/4" (carb) fuel hose.
I was using the silicone hose for over 5 years under those conditions.
This hose sucks up a lot of the "crankcase" and charcoal canister vapors and allows them to be sucked up into the turbo (and then into the engine) to be burned.
Over the years, the hose did swell.
I'd estimate the I.D. grew about 1mm larger than original.
There were no signs of crack or "crumbling".
There was a LOT of nasty stuff (i.e. fluid) inside the hose at any one time.
At one point, I forgot to put the hose back into the TID, and it was spewing crap all over the engine frame rail.
I was worried about the hose, so I replace with fuel hose that was 99 cents a foot available from any car parts store.
Now, using silicone hose for *FUEL* is just plain stupid.
Through my experience, using it for "emissions" hoses is okay.
If you're paranoid, use carb fuel hose for safety sake.
Connections to the oil filler neck and to-and-from the charcoal canister are the ones you gotta worry about.
Recommending Viton is just plain ludicrous.
This stuff can be as expensive as $10 A FOOT!
Who the hell would pay for **** like that when regular carb fuel hose works just as well?
Those emissions hoses are not pressurized that much.
1/4" carb fuel hose is like $1 PER FOOT.
I've use that HKS silicone hose for almost 10 years without failure.
Sure, it did swell.
It was basically always soaked in precipitate from the crankcase oil and gasoline vapors, but it did not crumble.
Silicone hose will handle more heat than most rubber hoses.
It will also last longer than most rubber hoses, if kept away from petroleum based fluids and vapors.
-Ted
05-17-06, 07:58 AM
#6
Real world info is nice. I'm just good (not hard to do, just type in some words) at using Google 
.
If you're referring to me I didn't recommend it. I agree that it's not worth it, but I was just giving as much information as I could. I'd rather give too much information than not enough.
.
Originally Posted by RETed
Recommending Viton is just plain ludicrous.
This stuff can be as expensive as $10 A FOOT!
Who the hell would pay for **** like that when regular carb fuel hose works just as well?
Those emissions hoses are not pressurized that much.
1/4" carb fuel hose is like $1 PER FOOT.
-Ted
This stuff can be as expensive as $10 A FOOT!
Who the hell would pay for **** like that when regular carb fuel hose works just as well?
Those emissions hoses are not pressurized that much.
1/4" carb fuel hose is like $1 PER FOOT.
-Ted
05-17-06, 08:50 PM
#7
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I have replace the vacuum lines for the turbo with silicone and have noticed that if left without a restraining device (i.e. zip tie or hose clamp) they get loose when they get warm, resulting in a blown off vacuum line. I had this happen a few times before using some zip ties to snug the lines down, and haven't had it since.
Just something to consider about silicone.
RR87
Just something to consider about silicone.
RR87
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05-17-06, 11:13 PM
#9
ooo RETed you speak wisely haha, yea i think i have some for the emissions, and things like that. Im pretty sure i dont use them for anything that has fuel runnin inside them. So if i decide to get some additional silicone hoses which hoses should i replace? What about the one thats connected to the radiator? (sorry i dont know the proper termonology) Do you have pictures of your blue HKS hoses? I like HKS, i was thinkin of upgrading my exhaust system to HKS. I use racing beats right now.
05-19-06, 07:30 AM
#10
Lives on the Forum
Originally Posted by lchaidez
So if i decide to get some additional silicone hoses which hoses should i replace?
What about the one thats connected to the radiator? (sorry i dont know the proper termonology)
Lots of vendors that sell silicone hose will warn you about running coolant / glycol fluids through silicone.
Again, more real-world data...
I've been using a piece of 10mm I.D. silicone hose for a BAC valve coolant connection for about the same amount time (about 5 years).
I still have that hose, and it still hasn't failed.
Ultimately, you'd want a flouro-lined silicone hose made for glycol coolant fluids, but the regular silicone stuff works okay.
Do you have pictures of your blue HKS hoses? I like HKS, i was thinkin of upgrading my exhaust system to HKS. I use racing beats right now.
Any HKS dealer can get it for you.
The rest of my HKS silicone hose got stolen.
It's expensive stuff.
I like the Hose Techniques stuff - it's good quality stuff and comes in multiple colors.
I really only like HKS wastegates and some of their electronics.
Most of the other stuff is overpriced.
-Ted
05-19-06, 11:45 AM
#11
I see, well you seem to have your facts in the right place. Which is very helpful on my end... thanks so much for the detailed responses you've been posting. If it wasn't for that, i would probaly would of done alot of silly/stupid things. Thanks again! ^^"
05-20-06, 10:19 PM
#12
Lives on the Forum
I just want to follow-up that the coolant overflow tube that runs from the water pump neck to the front reservior is not under pressure.
Most of the cooling system is under about 10 to 12 psi of pressure due to the rad cap.
So replaceing that overflow hose with silicone will not be under that pressure, which will help with longevity.
Good luck!
_Ted
Most of the cooling system is under about 10 to 12 psi of pressure due to the rad cap.
So replaceing that overflow hose with silicone will not be under that pressure, which will help with longevity.
Good luck!
_Ted
05-20-06, 10:25 PM
#13
what about the 2 main radiator hoses themselves. anyone know if the samco ones flurolined or whatever?
I have used the 3.5 and 4mm hose techniques stuff (in black for stealthiness) and I was very happy with it. Used it to replace a lot of vacuum lines.
Ran rubber hose from my T into the passenger compartment for my boost gauge as I was slightly concerned w/ it being too soft and kinking or getting squished somewhere.
I have used the 3.5 and 4mm hose techniques stuff (in black for stealthiness) and I was very happy with it. Used it to replace a lot of vacuum lines.
Ran rubber hose from my T into the passenger compartment for my boost gauge as I was slightly concerned w/ it being too soft and kinking or getting squished somewhere.
05-31-06, 04:52 PM
#14
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I've been using Stylin Motors hoses. Great stuff, easy to deal with and inexpensive too. stylinmotors.com, i think they offered a discount on here awhile back can't remember though.
05-31-06, 09:20 PM
#15
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the akimoto silicone hoses are great. they are at a great price and the walls of the hoses are really thick, so they dont collapse or kink.
i bought the cheap crap that they sell at autozone. that stuff is horrible and always ripped or collapsed or just down right burnt through on me. the akimoto hoses were the same price and 100X the quality.
i've used the akimoto hoses for over a year now and i've had no problems. they come in different colors and one box is enough for most of the emission hosing. everyone will give you their $.02 but this is mine.
as far as samco, i think they make hoses for the TMIC ($80) and the radiator hoses are treated for antifreeze *if i'm not mistaken* (~$60)
look it up at summitracing.com
i bought the cheap crap that they sell at autozone. that stuff is horrible and always ripped or collapsed or just down right burnt through on me. the akimoto hoses were the same price and 100X the quality.
i've used the akimoto hoses for over a year now and i've had no problems. they come in different colors and one box is enough for most of the emission hosing. everyone will give you their $.02 but this is mine.
as far as samco, i think they make hoses for the TMIC ($80) and the radiator hoses are treated for antifreeze *if i'm not mistaken* (~$60)
look it up at summitracing.com
