Silicone Radiator Hoses or OEM Rubber which is best? XJS V12
#1
05-07-2015, 02:49 AM
#2
05-07-2015, 04:41 AM
The following users liked this post:
orangeblossom (05-07-2015)
#3
05-07-2015, 06:54 AM
Veteran Member
The following 2 users liked this post by Steve M:
orangeblossom (05-07-2015),
ptjs1 (05-07-2015)
#4
05-07-2015, 07:42 AM
Veteran Member
Greg
The following 2 users liked this post by Greg in France:
orangeblossom (05-07-2015),
ptjs1 (05-07-2015)
#5
05-07-2015, 08:22 AM
Veteran Member
OB,
As you see there are already differing views. So my opinion is worth no more than anyone else's. But here it is anyway!
Silicon hoses were touted as the future when manufacturing costs reduced such that they became a cost-effective practicality. They are supple, resistant to contamination etc etc BUT there are some downsides.
As Steve has alluded, there seems to be something in their inherent composition, that IF they do fail through manufacturing problems, excess pressure or whatever, they don't start to leak as a traditional rubber hose might do at its joints, but they fail instantly usually splitting completely along their length. I have seen one or two that have failed and you'll realise that if it happens, you lose all the coolant immediately. Herein lies the problem for an XJS owner.
On some engines, you can overheat them, perhaps blowing a head gasket and then you can fix it. However, on a Jaguar V12, you just can't overheat the engine, as you know. You will blow the head gaskets and you WILL warp the heads. Very, very expensive.
So, whilst many will have fitted silicon hoses on a V12 and had absolutely no problems at all, you have to make the decision. My personal view would be, on a Jaguar V12, fit a good quality set of OEM hoses, change the coolant every 2 years and change the hoses every 5 years.
Having stoked the fire, I'll now retire to a safe place....
Paul
As you see there are already differing views. So my opinion is worth no more than anyone else's. But here it is anyway!
Silicon hoses were touted as the future when manufacturing costs reduced such that they became a cost-effective practicality. They are supple, resistant to contamination etc etc BUT there are some downsides.
As Steve has alluded, there seems to be something in their inherent composition, that IF they do fail through manufacturing problems, excess pressure or whatever, they don't start to leak as a traditional rubber hose might do at its joints, but they fail instantly usually splitting completely along their length. I have seen one or two that have failed and you'll realise that if it happens, you lose all the coolant immediately. Herein lies the problem for an XJS owner.
On some engines, you can overheat them, perhaps blowing a head gasket and then you can fix it. However, on a Jaguar V12, you just can't overheat the engine, as you know. You will blow the head gaskets and you WILL warp the heads. Very, very expensive.
So, whilst many will have fitted silicon hoses on a V12 and had absolutely no problems at all, you have to make the decision. My personal view would be, on a Jaguar V12, fit a good quality set of OEM hoses, change the coolant every 2 years and change the hoses every 5 years.
Having stoked the fire, I'll now retire to a safe place....
Paul
Last edited by ptjs1; 05-07-2015 at 10:31 AM.
The following 2 users liked this post by ptjs1:
Greg in France (05-07-2015),
orangeblossom (05-07-2015)
#6
05-07-2015, 08:57 AM
Veteran Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Pacific Northwest USA
Posts: 24,742
Received 10,755 Likes
on
7,101 Posts
The internet is full of sad stories regarding silicone hoses.
Problem with silicone hoses is that, many years ago, they became sort of a fad. They were very popular with the boy racer crowd. Everyone just had to have 'em.
Next thing you know everyone and his brother has gone into the silicone hose business. More competition means lower prices...which, often as not, means questionable quality. What used to be an 'upgrade' can now be a cool sounding downgrade.
I'd stick with conventional hoses unless you have good reason to believe the manufacturer of the silicone type is selling a high grade product.
Cheers
DD
Problem with silicone hoses is that, many years ago, they became sort of a fad. They were very popular with the boy racer crowd. Everyone just had to have 'em.
Next thing you know everyone and his brother has gone into the silicone hose business. More competition means lower prices...which, often as not, means questionable quality. What used to be an 'upgrade' can now be a cool sounding downgrade.
I'd stick with conventional hoses unless you have good reason to believe the manufacturer of the silicone type is selling a high grade product.
Cheers
DD
The following users liked this post:
orangeblossom (05-07-2015)
#7
05-07-2015, 09:34 AM
Veteran Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Walnut Creek, California
Posts: 6,796
Received 2,399 Likes
on
1,880 Posts
The following users liked this post:
orangeblossom (05-07-2015)
Trending Topics
#8
05-07-2015, 10:22 AM
Veteran Member
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Pacific Northwest USA
Posts: 24,742
Received 10,755 Likes
on
7,101 Posts
The following users liked this post:
orangeblossom (05-07-2015)
#9
05-07-2015, 11:38 AM
Veteran Member
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Walnut Creek, California
Posts: 6,796
Received 2,399 Likes
on
1,880 Posts
The following users liked this post:
orangeblossom (05-07-2015)
#10
05-07-2015, 03:32 PM
As there seems to be a downside to these Silicon Hoses, I think I'll play safe and stay with OEM.
#11
05-07-2015, 03:33 PM
#12
05-07-2015, 03:41 PM
Thanks!
I'll order some OEM hoses and was going to use some Mikalor Stainless Steel Super Clamps to put them on with.
Please give me the heads up, if that's not a good idea.
SUPRA - Hose Clamp
#13
05-07-2015, 03:50 PM
OB,
As you see there are already differing views. So my opinion is worth no more than anyone else's. But here it is anyway!
Silicon hoses were touted as the future when manufacturing costs reduced such that they became a cost-effective practicality. They are supple, resistant to contamination etc etc BUT there are some downsides.
As Steve has alluded, there seems to be something in their inherent composition, that IF they do fail through manufacturing problems, excess pressure or whatever, they don't start to leak as a traditional rubber hose might do at its joints, but they fail instantly usually splitting completely along their length. I have seen one or two that have failed and you'll realise that if it happens, you lose all the coolant immediately. Herein lies the problem for an XJS owner.
On some engines, you can overheat them, perhaps blowing a head gasket and then you can fix it. However, on a Jaguar V12, you just can't overheat the engine, as you know. You will blow the head gaskets and you WILL warp the heads. Very, very expensive.
So, whilst many will have fitted silicon hoses on a V12 and had absolutely no problems at all, you have to make the decision. My personal view would be, on a Jaguar V12, fit a good quality set of OEM hoses, change the coolant every 2 years and change the hoses every 5 years.
Having stoked the fire, I'll now retire to a safe place....
Paul
As you see there are already differing views. So my opinion is worth no more than anyone else's. But here it is anyway!
Silicon hoses were touted as the future when manufacturing costs reduced such that they became a cost-effective practicality. They are supple, resistant to contamination etc etc BUT there are some downsides.
As Steve has alluded, there seems to be something in their inherent composition, that IF they do fail through manufacturing problems, excess pressure or whatever, they don't start to leak as a traditional rubber hose might do at its joints, but they fail instantly usually splitting completely along their length. I have seen one or two that have failed and you'll realise that if it happens, you lose all the coolant immediately. Herein lies the problem for an XJS owner.
On some engines, you can overheat them, perhaps blowing a head gasket and then you can fix it. However, on a Jaguar V12, you just can't overheat the engine, as you know. You will blow the head gaskets and you WILL warp the heads. Very, very expensive.
So, whilst many will have fitted silicon hoses on a V12 and had absolutely no problems at all, you have to make the decision. My personal view would be, on a Jaguar V12, fit a good quality set of OEM hoses, change the coolant every 2 years and change the hoses every 5 years.
Having stoked the fire, I'll now retire to a safe place....
Paul
Many Thanks for your reply and reminding me about the overheating problems on the XJS.
So I will be staying with OEM hoses.
#14
05-07-2015, 03:53 PM
The internet is full of sad stories regarding silicone hoses.
Problem with silicone hoses is that, many years ago, they became sort of a fad. They were very popular with the boy racer crowd. Everyone just had to have 'em.
Next thing you know everyone and his brother has gone into the silicone hose business. More competition means lower prices...which, often as not, means questionable quality. What used to be an 'upgrade' can now be a cool sounding downgrade.
I'd stick with conventional hoses unless you have good reason to believe the manufacturer of the silicone type is selling a high grade product.
Cheers
DD
Problem with silicone hoses is that, many years ago, they became sort of a fad. They were very popular with the boy racer crowd. Everyone just had to have 'em.
Next thing you know everyone and his brother has gone into the silicone hose business. More competition means lower prices...which, often as not, means questionable quality. What used to be an 'upgrade' can now be a cool sounding downgrade.
I'd stick with conventional hoses unless you have good reason to believe the manufacturer of the silicone type is selling a high grade product.
Cheers
DD
You are absolutely right, Quality is everything so I am not rolling the dice and so I will be staying with OEM.
#15
05-07-2015, 03:56 PM
Since quality cannot be guaranteed with various brands of Silicone Hoses, I will play safe and stay with OEM.
#17
05-07-2015, 07:54 PM
Veteran Member
Idk what they are on about, I've never had a rubber hose "leak" instead of exploding, if they are compromised, they are going to basically blow up.
That is the thing, the silicone doesn't wear, dry, oxidize, etc etc anywhere near as bad as traditional rubber does. They are also reinforced just like rubber, so it is what it is. Just stay away from the gawdy red and blue hose sets and stick with good ol black
If you are worried about quality, go with a known brand.
BTW URO brand rubber hoses are noticeable thinner than oem
That is the thing, the silicone doesn't wear, dry, oxidize, etc etc anywhere near as bad as traditional rubber does. They are also reinforced just like rubber, so it is what it is. Just stay away from the gawdy red and blue hose sets and stick with good ol black
If you are worried about quality, go with a known brand.
BTW URO brand rubber hoses are noticeable thinner than oem
Last edited by sidescrollin; 05-07-2015 at 07:57 PM.
The following users liked this post:
orangeblossom (05-08-2015)
#18
05-08-2015, 04:18 AM
Idk what they are on about, I've never had a rubber hose "leak" instead of exploding, if they are compromised, they are going to basically blow up.
That is the thing, the silicone doesn't wear, dry, oxidize, etc etc anywhere near as bad as traditional rubber does. They are also reinforced just like rubber, so it is what it is. Just stay away from the gawdy red and blue hose sets and stick with good ol black
If you are worried about quality, go with a known brand.
BTW URO brand rubber hoses are noticeable thinner than oem
That is the thing, the silicone doesn't wear, dry, oxidize, etc etc anywhere near as bad as traditional rubber does. They are also reinforced just like rubber, so it is what it is. Just stay away from the gawdy red and blue hose sets and stick with good ol black
If you are worried about quality, go with a known brand.
BTW URO brand rubber hoses are noticeable thinner than oem
I won't compromise on the hoses, I'm going for OEM, as Ive no previous experience of using the Silicone ones, so I am going 'Old School'
#19
05-08-2015, 11:09 AM
Veteran Member
I mean, like everyone said, they will last for years so you really don't need to worry. I was just trying to weigh in on the silicone a bit since everyone seems to be sort of hating on them.
With some of the things that are a pain to replace on the XJS, 5 years can fly by. Some I would have no issue with. For example I put new struts on the hood when I got the car, wouldn't complain if they died on me now. New brake pads would feel sudden to me, even though it has been a long time (but nowhere near enough miles).
The only issue I had with the thinner URO hoses was with the driver side balance pipe, which collapsed under vacuum.
Have fun with the heat hoses, razor blades are your friend when removing old hoses
With some of the things that are a pain to replace on the XJS, 5 years can fly by. Some I would have no issue with. For example I put new struts on the hood when I got the car, wouldn't complain if they died on me now. New brake pads would feel sudden to me, even though it has been a long time (but nowhere near enough miles).
The only issue I had with the thinner URO hoses was with the driver side balance pipe, which collapsed under vacuum.
Have fun with the heat hoses, razor blades are your friend when removing old hoses
The following users liked this post:
orangeblossom (05-08-2015)
#20
05-08-2015, 11:47 AM
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Comox Valley, British Columbia
Posts: 816
Received 222 Likes
on
170 Posts
The following users liked this post:
orangeblossom (05-08-2015)