Rubber, Kevlar or silicone - what do you use and why?

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!

highest price doesnt mean best performer.... if your gunning your car along at ridiculous speeds non-stop id say kevlar or silicon(not a fan of... too ricer...)

but if the cooling system is performing its task and the rest of the components are working well then rubber, being the most accesible and cheapest is the go

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Here am I sitting in my tin can far above the Moon
Planet Earth is blue and there's nothing I can do...



“A turbo: exhaust gasses go into the turbocharger and spin it, witchcraft happens and you go faster.” - Jeremy Clarkson

I've had problems with Kevlar. Going to try silicone next.

Been very happy with a Kevlar bottom hose and the head bypass hose.

Only a few bucks more when picking parts up from the UK, and have had them in the past so thought why not....

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

I have gone Kevlar this time. I heard they last a lot longer than rubber and as mick said got them for a couple of bucks more. I hear silicone is the longest lasting but only could find them in garish colours. And with Kevlar I have the added bonus of protection from any stray bullets... thats right isn't it?

I use std rubber hoses on everything. There cheap and they last forever and theres no "rice" factor.

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Have a Nice Day.
If already having a nice day please disregard.

They're not blingy the Kevlar beasties, just plain black..

There is a minor downside. If you are pulling the bottom hose off, they're quite stiff because of the Kevlar wrapping around the hose. It makes it harder to pull it off the bottom once you're taken the clamp off.

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

Same here. The bottom ones last nearly forever, and if the top one deteriorates it's a piece of cake to change.
I use a bit of USA-made heater hose on the bypass (with a brass head adaptor)- never had one go.

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DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

Its a hose, geez just replace it, ive always used rubber hoses, and ive only EVER had one go.

It only went because the car overheated to the extreme.

If you got standard motor, why waste money on non standard.

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Aussie Leyland, Aussie Factory, Aussie Mini S.

RADIATOR LOWER HOSE WITH HEATER BRANCH £4.50

RADIATOR LOWER KEVLAR HOSE WITH HEATER BRANCH £6.99

Price certainly won't kill you...

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SooperDooperMiniCooperExpertEngineering

All garage work involves equal measures of enthusiasm, ingenuity and a fair degree of irresponsibility.

My motor is not standard - I'm leaning toward Mackay - good quality Australian made rubber hoses

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David L


My greatest fear in life is that when I die my wife will sell my Mini and tools for the price I told her I paid for them!