So my upper radiator hose popped, I'm debating getting the stock hose (which is hard to find) or getting the after market silicone hoses. Opinions, brands?

 

Samco silicone hoses are the way to go. Silicone has a higher temperature yield. Thats the real benefit. Will in turn last longer then rubber hoses.

 

Don't silicone hoses have problem with getting dirty really easy, so they look really good at first, but get all dingy fast?

 

yeah they get dirty easier.. bit of WD40 on a rag and boom. like new..

 

Ive just changed my hoses to silicone too they wont degrade like rubber but dont know about WD40 as silicone doesnt like oil..... but then again Im not sure if WD40 is oil.

 

WD40 on anything is great. I clean my floors with the stuff..

 

There are Samco and Mishimoto silicone hoses Radiator Hoses (93+ RX-7)

Stock OEM hoses can be purchased at the Mazda dealer

 

Not that aftermarket ones aren't nice, but the OEM ones last a LONG time, and IIRC, aren't that expensive.

 

Stock radiator hoses run about $50 for the pair.

 

Use the stock one, it has all the R&D from the OEM built into it. Realistically, these things last 10-15 years with ease. Silicone hoses...won't. No OEM puts silicone hoses on a car. They are pretty much R.I.C.E., when you think about it...but even worse because no race car uses silicone.

 

Silicone Radiator Hoses: Not for the Street > MotoIQ
An article that explains why not to use silicone radiator hoses. I did not know this.

 

Most of us have been saying that for years - skip the dumb, blingy silicon coolant hoses. Stick with stock. Stock hose clamps too.

 

Agreed, OEM hoses, OEM hose clamps. The stock Mazda hose fits great and lasts a VERY long time.

I hadn't read that article before on MotoIQ about silicone hose, that makes a LOT of sense. So, let's summarize -

Silicone hose -

- Costs more
- Leaks
- Doesn't fit as well
+ Is in bright colors!

There's NO reason to run a silicone radiator hose at this point. Mazda OEM hoses fit great, are priced right, and last a VERY long time - they will probably outlive the engine.

Dale

 

I will say that my Samco hoses are thinner walled than the rubber equivalent which provided good clearance for the belts. If they provide the same or better tolerances as the rubber hoses with reduced material, that's a win for me.

I do believe there is a difference from imitation silicone hoses and ones made with some real R&D behind them (which is what that article is implying). If you do go shopping for silicone hoses, buy them from a real seller, not from eBay.

 

I've been running Samco hoses for almost 2 years without any issues.

 

EPDM rubber > Silicone

 

Went with the stock hose, it's been on the car for almost a week. Frustratingly I have another leak somewhere I have to find.

 

Check the turbo coolant hoses.

 

Fortunately this car is single turbo, so I don't think that's it.

 

unless you're running a watercooled ball-bearing single turbo

 

What I meant was that it is easy to check because of the single.

 

If you REALLY wanna spend too much money on radiator hoses than you could always make AN ones...

 

Nice!!!