Blue silicone hoses Yes or No Opinions please?

[haydn callow]

The problems was getting a good "all year round" seal between the metal stub/silicone/jub clip...the hoses are much softer than standard ones and slippy.......most leaks/weeps start with the cold weather and go un noticed untill either the coolant leaks away and you overheat or your LCA (if fitted) warns you. Fitting constant pressure clamps seems to cure the problems.
Problem caused by the 3 componants of the joint...hose/stub/clamp expanding/contacting at differant rates.....the constant pressure clamps have a built in spring and so compensate for fot it.

Standard hoses work...manufactures fit them and they last about 10 years...my argument is...if it ain't broke don't fix it and if it is broke use somthing that will do the job with the least amount of problems.....Bongo peeps have had problems and even removed £200 worth of new hoses to revert back to standard......

Personally I have not tried the silicoln hoses on the Bongo....almost did a couple of years ago but then the problems started with other peeps and I decided against.
I just replace as and when with standard hoses.

[MountainGoat]

Having had both types of hoses on my Bongo at one time or another. All I can say is that if you use Silicone hoses they work better with Norma constant pressure clips which allow for expansion and contraction which Jubille clips do not. This is an extra expense.

On the other hand using genuine Mazda hoses you can re-use the original Mazda clips if you take them off carefuly. These clips usually do not fit most silicone hoses as they have a greater external diameter than the original Mazda hoses.

So savings can be made using either type of hoses.

Tony

[haydn callow]

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j& ... c9CZjNuzKw

[haydn callow]

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&rct=j& ... Ob4awfVy4Q

[Paulinwales]

I managed to re-use most of my constant pressure clips by using a long nosed pliers - + i fitted them in December when it was proper cold, so the jubilee's i used were tight. I did get a drip from one when it got frosty, but tightened it right away and not had any probs since - then again i check my coolant levels nearly every day!

rgds Paul

[Jimbob738]

Interesting views if Norma clips were available i would use them but they are like rocking horse poo, i have bigger fish to fry at the moment and thats tracking down a good quality Cylinder Head as mine has been diagnosed cracked today at Bates in Nottingham Gutted!

[Paulinwales]

I would try steel seal first (meant to permenantly fix heads! for ~£30) 2nd go for reconditioned engine, not much more (1250 fitted last time i looked)
personally i would change all the cooling system from radiator to hoses, thermostat, pump etc as it's not much more just to be sure!!!

rgds Paul