silicon hose.

[jeff.fenton]

Have recently replaced the last original coolant hoses with silicon, and found the large diameter one behind the water pump, under the inlet tract, now has a small persistent leak, not cured by retightening. I found two suggestions, that a/ the pipes at each end of this hose are slightly different diameters, so my generic hose length is loose at one end, and b/ I should have used special clamps, (360 degree?) for silicon hoses. Any views please, where to get new items, before I have to drain my system again? Many thanks, Jeff.

[Lotus-e-Clan]

jeff

I have a (normal) linear section silicon hose in that position with no leaks.

For sure, use a proper soft-edged 360 clamp made for silicon, but on the stub that leaks (the smaller stub), cut off multiple sections of bicycle inner tube and stretch them over the stub to increase the diameter. Works every time, and costs nothing (if you have old inner tubes)