Ultimate Guide to Silicone Radiator Hoses, Coolant Hoses & Heater Hose

cooler work

This article covers some professional knowledge about Silicone Radiator Hoses, Coolant Hoses, and Heater Hoses, aiming to provide readers with a new understanding of various types of hoses.

What Is A Silicone Radiator Hose?

Silicone radiator hose is a type of hose made of silicone rubber, mainly used to replace traditional rubber hoses in automotive cooling systems. It is a synthetic material of rubber, but it is more durable, heat-resistant, and flexible than rubber.


Silicone Hose Size Chart: MM to Inches Conversion

When it comes to the size specifications of silicone hoses, some customers may have been confused about how to choose the right size for themselves. Are silicone hoses measured by inner diameter or outer diameter? I can tell you clearly that they are measured by inner diameter, and the sizes marked in the market are all inner diameters. This is because silicone hoses are soft and need to have a metal or rigid tube inserted into their inner part, which is then secured with hose clamps. Some silicone hose manufacturers mark the sizes in millimeters, while others use inches. Below, I will provide you with a conversion table for millimeters to inches for your reference, so that you won't make a wrong choice when purchasing silicone hoses.

SILICONE HOSES INNER DIAMETER MM TO INCHES CONVERSION CHART

Are Silicone Hoses Oil or Fuel-resistant?

A simple response is no, generally speaking, regular silicone hoses are not oil-fuel resistant, but we can customize oil-fuel-resistant fluoro silicone hoses. Fluorosilicone is a type of rubber material used in industries such as aviation, automotive, military, etc., and it has excellent oil and solvent resistance properties.

Silicone Hoses VS Rubber Hoses

Compared to rubber hoses, silicone hoes have superior flexibility, elasticity, high-temperature resistance, fluid passability, and durability.

RONTEIX Silicone Hose VS HPS Silicone Hose

Ronteix and HPS are both high-performance silicone hose manufacturers, and they are both US-registered trademarks. Their production processes are both handcrafted. However, since HPS silicone hoses are produced in the United States while Ronteix silicone hoses are manufactured in China, from a cost perspective, Ronteix's costs are much lower, and therefore its selling price is also lower. Consequently, Ronteix's price is more competitive than HPS’. Some customers may question whether silicone hoses manufactured in the United States are of higher quality compared to those produced in China. We cannot make judgments about the quality of both companies' products, but based on feedback from our customers, HPS silicone hoses tend to have a rougher surface. We welcome all customers to experience Ronteix silicone hoses firsthand.

Understanding the Benefits of Silicone Tubing for Air Intake, Radiator, and Coolant System

High-temperature resistance, silicone tubing can resist high temperatures, ranging from -65°C to 260°C, enabling it’s widely used for engine cooling systems and exhaust systems according to its characterization.

Durability, long lifespan is silicone tubing's most advantage, even if it is under the tough environments with oil, fuel, and chemicals.


Flexibility, it is soft and flexible, thus it’s the best choice for applications such as air intake systems, intercooler systems, turbocharger systems, and coolant systems. 

Noise and vibration-absorbing, silicone tubings have excellent noise and vibration absorption capabilities, which in turn enhance engine performance and contribute to quieter engine operation.

Smooth, the surface of silicone tubing is extremely smooth and vibrant in color, thereby adding to the aesthetic appeal of the engine.

Weather resistance, silicone tubings, when applied to engines, confidently withstand both the high temperatures of summer and the low temperatures of winter, exhibiting outstanding performance in demanding operating conditions.

How To Make A Silicone Hose?

Silicone rubber Mixing - Calendering - Fabric Cutting - Rolling & Forming - Heating & Vulcanization - Demoulding - Finished Hose Cutting - LOGO Printing - Inspection - Packing

What are Coolant Hoses?

Coolant hoses are soft tubes that carry coolant, absorbing heat from the engine and transferring it through pipes to the radiator. There, the heat dissipates into the surrounding air, safeguarding the engine from potential damage due to overheating. Typically, coolant hoses connect to the radiator, which can be either a water cooling radiator or an air cooled radiator.

How Does an Intercooler Work?

The working principle of an intercooler involves directing air or fluid into heat exchanger fins and plates, facilitating the transfer of heat from the air or fluid to the surrounding environment. This process cools the air or fluid, subsequently reducing the temperature of the engine and extending its lifespan.

After air enters the turbocharger, it undergoes compression, causing a rapid increase in temperature and a decrease in oxygen content. The high-pressure air then enters the intercooler where it rapidly cools down before being directed into the engine. This process provides the engine with an opportunity for another combustion cycle, increasing the combustion rate of fuel and resulting in a more powerful engine with higher efficiency.

working principle of an intercooler

What is the principle of radiator work?

The working principle of a radiator, in simple terms, is convection. It involves exchanging heat with a fluid such as air or liquid to either reduce or increase temperature. Therefore, it is also a type of heat exchanger.

principle of radiator work

Intercooler VS Radiator

The key differences between them are as follows:

  1. Intercoolers are used to cool compressed air, whereas radiators cool coolant.
  2. Every vehicle has a radiator, whereas only vehicles equipped with turbochargers or superchargers have intercoolers.
  3. Intercoolers use water or air to cool the high-temperature compressed air, thereby enhancing engine efficiency.
  4. Radiators employ radiator fins to absorb heat from the coolant. The cooled coolant is then returned to the engine.
    Intercooler VS Radiator

Why should you upgrade your standard OEM rubber coolant hoses to Ronteix silicone hoses?

Before answering this question, I'd like to ask all of you one thing: how often do you replace or upgrade your OEM rubber coolant hoses? You should know that rubber hoses tend to be rigid, intolerant to high temperatures, prone to aging, and have uneven surfaces. These are the drawbacks of rubber hoses. On the other hand, silicone hoses withstand high temperatures, are flexible, and durable. Additionally, silicone hoses have a much better capacity to transport fluids at higher temperatures compared to rubber hoses. If aging rubber hoses aren't replaced promptly, coolant or water leakage may occur, leading to engine malfunctions. Therefore, upgrading your old OEM rubber hoses to silicone hoses periodically is highly necessary. Ronteix silicone hoses are a great choice for this purpose.


How often do you take radiator hose replacement?

According to an official survey, normally you need to replace your car radiator hose in five years, as the lifespan of a radiator hose is five years. The best choice for replacement is silicone hose, not OEM rubber hose.

Heater Hose Definition

Heater hoses are rubber or silicone hoses located near the rear of the engine, used to connect the engine cooling system and transport coolant to the heater core, preventing engine overheating and ensuring proper engine function.

Conclusion

Above, we have provided a simple professional introduction to Silicone Radiator Hoses, Coolant Hoses, and Heater Hoses. We hope that both car enthusiasts and professionals can gain some knowledge from it, enabling a better understanding of the differences and uses of various hoses in their future work.

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