It's raining coolant...

Good evening all,

Been a while since my last post, but once again find myself reaching out to the knowledge and wisdom that makes the T-bar what it is…

Decided to take a drive on Sunday, lovely day in Dorset, got the roof down and [strike]Britney Spears[/strike]… erm, I mean AC/DC playing max volume… Sadly the TF had other idea’s and decided to engulf itself in a cloud of smoke/steam and liberally coat the road below in the contents of the coolant system…

Thankfully I spotted the cloud following me and pulled over straight away before the needle had even twitched on the temp gauge…

General consensus is that this will be a split in a coolant pipe (yet to be confirmed), which should be an easy fix, but I am extremely conscious that all other hoses are probably the same age/condition, so if I change just this one then I potentially leave myself open to it happening again…

With this in mind, any recommendations for a full set of coolant hoses for a TF 135 at a reasonable price? I would prefer to stay away from E-bay specials…

Much appreciated,

Andy

EDIT: 100% confirmed now that she is back in my perfectly suitable workshop (aka: parking space in front of the house) that a coolant line has been rubbing on the exhaust heat shield and decided to pop...

When I replaced most of my hose, I bought from Rimmers and MGOC. I had thought of going silicone, but to be honest I thought it way too expensive for the few months I use the car. Thinking about it, I think I also bought some from mgfntfbitz.co.uk
I think the ones from Rimmers were part of a sale on F/TF parts at the time.

Stoney Racing sell a complete silicone hose kit for the TF. Google will find it.

Thanks Bruce,

What is the benefit of silicone over standard?

TIA

Andy

The main advantage is heat resistance, and consequently does not degrade as quick as rubber. The other factor is you can get it inmany colours, where as rubber tends to be black only.

The rubber hoses on my car are, for the most part ,those which were lovingly installed by the artisans crafting our remarkable cars & that was in 1998. The PRT clutter & the top & bottom hoses are later, but not much. Investing in a silicon hose kit would be either a vanity project or a notice to other drivers that you are getting serious about your track days. Or am I just a tight old git who deserves a steamer for being so opinionated.
M

Thanks for the responses...

Can't say I care much for the idea of fancy colours in an engine bay that no one will see, so will probably just go for the standard rubber! by my reckoning, they have been there for 20 years already so will just stick with that, replace the full set, and be sure to double double check clearances!

Thanks everyone

Andy661 wrote:

Thanks Bruce,

What is the benefit of silicone over standard?

TIA

Andy

Sorry, I missed your post.

Answer: I have no idea what the benefit of silicone hoses might be other than those already suggested, I was only trying to answer the question of where you could get them. Mine are probably all the originals - none of them look newer than the rest. I do occasionally wonder "What if one were to let go?..."

I did read somewhere that OATs coolant and silicone didn't work well together. I don't know what mileage there is in that, but apparently being a skinflint, I couldn't justify the additional coast of silicone and stuck with the traditional black rubber hose.

If someone running OAT coolant had a recurring problem with their hoses that would have to be classed as a cereal problem.

Its a good job some of us are awake or there'd be some head scratching. I glanced at the topic & barley paid any attention, then I wondered if you had spelt cereal correctly. It's not a topic that crops up regularly..

Apologies for the corny joke though it may have raised a rye smile. I dont know wheat type of hose is better. A grain of truth there.