Trying to fit a tight silicone turbo coolant hose

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 10 Sep 2016, 15:10

Finally got around the replacing the turbo coolant hose on my 95 855T. That about 8 inch long L shaped hose. Some lousy mechanic put in a hose that was the same diameter on both ends, so the clamp cut through the hose on the small end and caused the leak.. So I bought what I thought was a quality name silicone hose for a replacement but I I can't get the big end of the hose over the pipe nipple - the hose is too tight to slip on and the working room is too. Other end fits on snug, but at least it's on the pipe.

I can go get a dealer OEM hose for the car Monday, but I'd love to get the car back on the road Sunday. Has anyone else had problems with fitting too snug silicone hoses and come up with a solution?.

Sommerfeldt · Post by **Sommerfeldt** » 10 Sep 2016, 15:52

I thought mine didn't fit either. Used a tiny drop of WD 40 on the pipe, then slipped a narrow feeler gauge blade in the hose and ran the blade around while pushing on the hose. Fiddly as all heck, but it worked. I bet that thing will stay on there even if the clamp fails...

I used do88 hoses, btw.

- S

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 10 Sep 2016, 15:54

you must have tiny hands!

Sommerfeldt · Post by **Sommerfeldt** » 10 Sep 2016, 16:04

Just freakishly long and skinny fingers.

Post by **polskamafia mjl** » 10 Sep 2016, 18:51

I'm not really sure which coolant hose you're talking about but when it comes to silicone two things have always helped me. This works for both silicone coolant hoses as well silicone boost hoses: boil the ends in water for a minute or two before installation and smear a drop of dish soap on the inside edge of the hose as well.

Boiling softens the silicone a bit and the dish soap is an excellent lubricant.

Yes silicone hoses can be a huge pain to install although the coolant hoses are much easier I think than the boost hoses.

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 10 Sep 2016, 18:58

I'll try boiling it, too. Right now, anything to get it installed.

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 11 Sep 2016, 09:59

I tired the boil the hose idea and the hose won't slip over the flange. The hose I got is pretty think, looks like a four ply. Maybe thsi is a cheap variety hose? I'm still open for suggestions..

Post by **tryingbe** » 11 Sep 2016, 11:28

I got mine on with lots of silicone spray, it pushed on just enough for a hose clamp and not more.

Other than lube and push really hard, there is really nothing else that can be done. Maybe if you're wiling to remove the engine so you can get a better angle at it.

For the second car I worked on, I just bought VOLVO oem hoses so I don't have to deal with the silicone hose again.

azureblue · Post by **azureblue** » 11 Sep 2016, 12:23

That's what it's coming down to. A plain old OEM hose... No room to push, shove or wiggle up in there. Lesson learned..