Heater Hose replacements- new ones too stiff?

MeloYelo · 05-07-2006, 06:45 PM

My heater hoses (fan shroud to the heat exchangers) needed a refresh and so I ordered a pair of the 18 inch replacements. The only problem was that the new ones were so stiff that getting them through the hole near the oil lines is near impossible without almost shredding them. There is just not enough clearance with the oil lines to just slip them through. The old ones I had (probably the original ones) were a flexible material with coiled wire on the inside- the new ones were stiff, aluminum-lined hoses with almost no flexibility...has anyone had similar experience and know of some replacements that are easier to reinstall and more malleable? Don't know if the setup is different on my car (73.5 911T) from other similar model years- I do believe it's apples and apples...

Thanks,
MY

Early_S_Man · 05-07-2006, 08:05 PM

The replacements you got were the OEM material, assuming you got them from Pelican, and the wire-fabric ones you had were definitely NOT factory originals!

It helps a lot if you flex the new replacements into the proper curve before attempting to install them. What oil lines are you referring to that interfere or rub? Pics would help a bunch to understand what your problem was/is ...

MeloYelo · 05-07-2006, 08:21 PM

The camshaft oil lines are getting in the way of the hose going through the opening to the exchangers- in other words there is no clearance to just feed the hoses straight through. They are protuding just enough over the opening that unless you have a very flexible hose, there is no way it's getting through...

Early_S_Man · 08:57 PM

That sounds like the replacement cam tower oil lines were installed incorrectly, at the wrong angles! They shouldn't be interfering with the heater hoses! I have replaced several sets of oil lines and heater hoses and never had the problem you describe!

BTW, youe should be able to gently bend the hard line just inboard of the banjo bolt to get the hose tucked in closer to the chain housing. At the inboard end, bend the tube as close as possible to the crimped end of the rubber hose, and try to support the hard line near the ferrule and compression nut to keep from kinking and causing a leak at the nut. If the lines need replacing anyway ... just plan to replace them, along with the damaged heater hoses that were scraped!