Fuel Hose as Coolant Line?: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

Subscribe get a full year for only $23.95 Sample Free Test Drive—no strings attached

Nov. 29, 2011 11:32 p.m. HiTempguy SuperDork

I got a big talking at by the old guy at the local parts franchise when I came in looking for something to replace the coolant line that burst that runs to the turbo on the rally talon. It was meant to be a quick fix so it could sit outside with coolant in it so nothing froze and I could start it and move it around with no issues.

He says fuel hose will deteriorate with glycol in it. Now, I tried to find heater hose, but apparently no-one in Edmonton sells it in lengths anymore out of the stores I've tried so far (wtf I know!) Camodian Tire used to sell 3 foot lengths of it in a plastic bundle, but they've stopped doing this apparently.

Will the fuel hose be ok for now? I feel he was over-exaggerating his point, but I'd prefer to not have gooey rubber circulating in the talon's cooling system.
Nov. 30, 2011 12:27 a.m. ditchdigger Dork

I have had a 3/8" fuel line as a coolant line for 3 years now. No issues.

I went to an industrial hose and fitting supply. The very knowledgeable guy recommended fuel line as it was rated for the heat range and resistant to most anything.

You will be fine.
Nov. 30, 2011 4:48 a.m. foxtrapper SuperDork

Far as I know, the rubber would be the same. Glycol is far from an impressive solvent.

None the less, best place to check with would be a commercial hose and line store.
Nov. 30, 2011 2:01 p.m. jhaas Reader

how in the world could it hold gasoline and not stand up to coolant? im sure this guy is just repeating something he heard 20 years ago. i hate people who wont think outside the box.
Nov. 30, 2011 2:05 p.m. N Sperlo SuperDork

What's the worst case scenario? Need a new hose? berkeley it, give it a try.
Nov. 30, 2011 2:15 p.m. Sky_Render Reader

If a fuel line will stand up to ethanol, it sure as heck will stand up to Ethylene glycol.
Nov. 30, 2011 4:17 p.m. HiTempguy SuperDork

And these are all of the reasons I was so confused! It didn't make sense, but I had no way of verifying whether he was right or wrong. I didn't believe him, and I put the hose on anyways (hell, he gave me the 5" of hose for free) but the one thing you don't mess with is the cooling system on a Talon you race!
Nov. 30, 2011 4:31 p.m. donalson SuperDork

another option.. bypass the coolant lines to the turbo for now...
Nov. 30, 2011 4:35 p.m. 92CelicaHalfTrac SuperDork

It'll be fine.

The opposite doesn't work too well.

Coolant line doesn't make a great oil return line, either. Ask me how i know.
Nov. 30, 2011 4:39 p.m. mad_machine SuperDork

I learned that lesson myself. Ran coolant lines as oil lines to an oilcooler in my superbeetle.. worked great for months..

And then the end split where it was clamped and dumped a couple of quarts down into the heaterboxes... at least I knew right away that I had a leak
May 6, 2012 1:46 p.m. aliaz

the old guy is correct. Glycol makes fuel line brittle. I know this from first hand experience.