Hello everyone, hopefully its not a stupid question Im going to be changing my coolant hoses and wanted to know if the color of hoses matter. If not the color which hoses are better and last longer. i have green ones right now and heard from someone the black hoses are much better. my older truck had blue. or are they all same?? any information on this will be helpful. thank you.
Black with the green stripes are the ones you want. The color ones(blue/green) are silicon hoses and last. Depends on the application where your going to use them.
I got the Gates Black (green stripe) . They’re good. They used to have a blue stripe also. No idea the differences if any. Silicones overrated and way too expensive. Never liked them. Supposed to hold up to heat better, stay pliable longer. Only silicone I have now are for compressor air intake from manifold, and the small hose from overflow to thermostat housing. Only ones I could afford. Lol. They’re known for cold leaking anyways on new Trucks or for a while after first installed. They require special clamps. I suggest the special “silicone “ clamps on all hoses. They have a full band around inside, and constant tension spring on the tightening bolt. They’re worth the money. Don’t work well on hoses smaller than 5/8”. Very hard to get tight, Regular SS clamps work fine on the small ones. Just don’t over tighten and cut into the hose. Leave hoses as long as possible. That way you can cut the end off and reconnect if needed in a couple years. Also if one bursts, you’ll have enough to repair it maybe, since it will probably fail at the clamp. New hoses should last about 4 years. 5 years is pushing it and asking for trouble.
Not all the blue hose is silicone. I don't believe Goodyear Hi-Miler is and that's probably the top tier stuff IMO. Personally I've found silicone heater hose is trash. Never seems to seal up worth a crap.
