Vacuum Hoses

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Dec 11, 2005 | 05:16 PM

ctch88

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Vacuum Hoses

So if you've so much as opened your hood, you've probably broken a vacuum hose or two. I first started countering this problem by heading to the junk yard and ripping some off dead f-150s, but I tend to break two for everyone that I fix.

So the question: Does anyone know where to purchase a new vacuum hose kit that is color coordinated to the factory lines? I know this is really nit-pickey, but I'd like to have factory colors to make future maintence easier.

If not, does anyone recommend a universal kit that had enough hose and good connecting boots?

Thanks!

Dec 12, 2005 | 05:21 PM

greystreak92

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From: Gateway to the West

Not aware of any factory color-coded replacements other than from the factory...which would of course be a cost-prohibitive endeavor. The plastic lines are great as long as they stay bundled inside a loom with a bunch of other ones and wires etc. Once they leave to cozy comfort of a loom that shields them from the elements they get brittle and you end up with exactly what you described.

Whenever one of mine breaks, like the green one to the EGR valve or that white one running through the cowl to the blower motor ducting on the passenger side... I replace far enough back down the line til I reach a section of the plastic that will withstand being moved and tinkered with long enough to install a new rubber line. It often means opening the loom quite a bit til you are past the brittle section but then once the rubber one is in place that far into the loom, you can close up the loom and re-tape it so the line won't deteriorate any further. Incorporating the larger diameter rubber line where the thinner plastic one had been can be tricky but its do-able.

Last edited by greystreak92; Dec 12, 2005 at 05:24 PM.

Dec 12, 2005 | 07:06 PM

ctch88

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Thanks greystreak, do you not have problems with rubber lines collapsing on themeselves if you use long sections of it?

Dec 12, 2005 | 08:25 PM

slickerthanyou

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I have replaced all of mine with silicone hose. You can label them if you need to with sharpie pen. I think I paid $8 bucks for both sizes and they are good from -60 to +500*. I bought mine from a place called US Plastics.com about four years old now and look like new- even comes in blue! I use these people at my job sites. -Bob

Dec 12, 2005 | 11:45 PM

greystreak92

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From: Gateway to the West

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctch88

Thanks greystreak, do you not have problems with rubber lines collapsing on themeselves if you use long sections of it?

The worst instance I had with collapse was the EGR vacuum supply line more over because of the heat softening the line. I used a section from another plastic line that I had laying around.

I did some quick research into this issue and found quite a few options available at McMaster-Carr under the plastic tubing section. Specifically, they have a flame retardant, vacuum rated, nylon product with a small 3mm O.D. and a 1.8mm I.D. that may prove to be worth a look. At $0.17/ft. it may be a viable option to consider. Its available in a translucent white color which could be color coded with permanent markers (Sharpies). This would be a similar material to the tubing used for mechanical oil pressure gauges but a slightly larger diameter to handle the vacuum requirements. Its pretty tough stuff too and remains flexible enough even at extreme cold temps.

Last edited by greystreak92; Dec 12, 2005 at 11:47 PM.