Silicone radiator hoses

[Mystic3]

Trying to follow up on a question I had with others what is the story on the silicone radiator hoses they look nice but I understand there are porous and leek can somebody update me on what the status is good bad or indifferent with hoses thanks

[Ramps]

I’ve never heard they leak. I have the RE ones and haven’t noticed any loss of coolant or smell of coolant or anything.

[Tbonem3]

Been running the same set for like 5 years.

They're supposed to better handle heat/pressure.

[ethan]

I've had a lower hose fail at the barb before, but never seen them leak when in good condition.

[Bostonbruck]

I’ve heard it was an upgrade. Over time (with many heat cycles), the OEM hoses turn brittle and fall apart. Buy silicone and you should be good for 10 years/ 100k Miles

[Jackaustin]

Trying to follow up on a question I had with others, what is the story on the silicone radiator hoses they look nice but I understand there are porous and leek, especially with VW Audi Silicone Hoses. Can somebody update me on what the status is good, bad or indifferent with hoses thanks

Silicone hoses are fine. The porosity and leaking issues only come from cheap, low-quality brands. Stick to reputable names like Samco, HPS or Mishimoto and you will have no problems. Many VW and Audi owners have been running them for years without a single leak. Just avoid bargain-bin options, and you are good to go.

[01SG]

Silicone hoses are fine. The porosity and leaking issues only come from cheap, low-quality brands. Stick to reputable names like Samco, HPS or Mishimoto and you will have no problems. Many VW and Audi owners have been running them for years without a single leak. Just avoid bargain-bin options, and you are good to go.

Judging by their crap radiators, I would not place Mishimoto as a reputable brand.

I stuck with OE rubber. If it ain't broke don't fix it, they last a good long time.

[Tbonem3]

Mishimoto and marshimoto and quasimoto don't make anything. They buy cheap chinese stuff and slap a sticker on (like many companies do, tbf)

[sapote]

I find the OEM hoses are great, worked for many years. Any leak was caused by the o-ring or the hard plastic end and not the rubber hose.

[bigjae46]

Silicone hoses are not pure silicone - they contain a rubber. The better versions have an aramid fabric molded into it to eliminate bursting.

Mishimoto and marshimoto and quasimoto don't make anything. They buy cheap chinese stuff and slap a sticker on (like many companies do, tbf)

Exactly. eBay external oil thermostat - $45. Mishimoto badged external oil thermostat with a heat sink bolted to it (lol) - $160

[6speedS54]

I installed bimmerworld silicone hoses last year, seem fine, no leaks.

[Keith_MN]

I replaced the radiator & heater hoses with the HPS kit. Only a year and <1k miles on them but fitment was good and no issues.

[E46fanatics…]

My only “issue” was installation. I couldn’t slip them on. I even tried taking a little bit of silicone off in the inside with a blade but the hoses wouldn’t go on all the way. Since I needed the car, I just installed the old OEM hoses again since they were good. Will probably try again this summer. I think they sell some type of lube to help so buy that just in case.

[6speedS54]

My only “issue” was installation. I couldn’t slip them on. I even tried taking a little bit of silicone off in the inside with a blade but the hoses wouldn’t go on all the way. Since I needed the car, I just installed the old OEM hoses again since they were good. Will probably try again this summer. I think they sell some type of lube to help so buy that just in case.

soapy water usually helps, or silicone spray

[usdmej]

they don't leak but they are a lot more water permeable than regular rubber hoses so you do lose coolant through evaporation (the degree to which some people report being able to smell coolant during normal operation)