XJS V-12 Coolant Hoses

[Michael J.]

I had the left upper radiator hose fail on Sunday. It was a replacement obtained from a parts supplier in Ohio and has always been reputable. The hose split 3" lengthwise just past the hose clamp at the Thermostat housing.

I have had to replace five hoses for failure in the last two years. Always either pinholes or splits and the hoses are only about a year old to eighteen months old at the time of failure.

None were mushy and none had signs of cuts.

Anyone else had this kind of dismal luck with hoses?

Has anyone found an alternative to the currently available replacements that standup better?

 

[steve99]

Michael,

I dont know if this would have any bearing on your hose problem or not. A number of years ago, Gates hoses started coming out with new hoses marked "ECR" (Electro Chemical Resistance). It seems that ignition current was effecting the rubber compounds in the hoses and causing similar problems (in cars with HEI). Might be worth looking into wether or not Gates offers a hose for your application. Couldnt last any shorter than what your using now.

 

[Webserve]

Michael,
I only use hoses on my Jags that are impregnated with Kevlar. My '88 XJ40 has a rotten little hose that runs from the water pump to the water rail traveling under the manifold. It is only 7" long, but will destroy a head in a moment if it bursts at high speed. Terrible to have to replace so I put in a Kevlar one. Three years so far without even a hint of expansion or mushiness. I use the same type hoses on my '67s as well.

Webserve

 

[Dave Russell]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by steve99:
Michael,

I dont know if this would have any bearing on your hose problem or not. A number of years ago, Gates hoses started coming out with new hoses marked "ECR" (Electro Chemical Resistance).
<hr></blockquote>

Steve, very interesting. You have a good point here. It seems that engines with dissimilar metals (iron block, aluminum head) may have more of this problem. Here is the gates note;
https://www.gates.com/brochure.cfm?brochure=1024
D

 

[piman]

Hello Michael,
are all the failed hoses put under strain if there were excessive engine movement?
I was jut wondering if your engine mounts had failed?

Alec

 

[Michael J.]

Not an engine mount problem, but the hose was disconnected during a recent engine rebuild. The hoses were still soft and pliable, and were only 9 months old since last replaced, so I reused them.

It may be good practice to replace any hose if it is disconnected for any reason, but the failure was in a place not subject to compression from the hose clamp, but was just forward of where the hose connected to the thermostat and split lengthwise toward the radiator for about 3 inches.

I had inspected it before using it again and saw no cuts, abrasions, etc. that would lead to a likelihood of failure.

 

[Michael J.]

P.S.

Most of the other failures were pinhole type leaks.