Where the hell can I get a radiator hose?

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

This is ridiculous. The vast majority of mk3 Granada parts that anyone's ever going to need, from £30 water pumps to £500 aircon compressors, are available next-day from all the big factors, yet nobody stocks radiator hoses.

 

Ford also have nearly everything on a next-day basis, and they 're only asking for £20, but they need to order it from Germany and it'll take 5 days. I am having a new radiator fitted on Friday, and postponing it is not an option, as next week sees me travelling to Gloucester, Hull, and Kent.

 

The custom-made hose places seem to be catering to the mad kit-car market, with no catalogues/dimensions, and the one I called was constantly returning a busy tone.

 

Goodyear Engineered Products seem to cover a lot of such applications, but they have a site which lists no UK stockists. Their European HQ in Germany didn't answer when I rang.

 

Any recommendations? Maybe I should hammer a smaller hose on top of the existing one?

[Rocket88]

If it has the same dimensions at both ends, can you not use some of that convoluted stuff that motor factors sell by the metre?

[Tetleysmooth]

Without knowing the engine size, I found this on ebay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Capri-2-8i-New-quality-reproduction-top-radiator-hose-/281110829186?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item417382d882#ht_1045wt_932

 

If yours is a 2.8 or 2.9, could it be adapted?

[Timewaster]

Google "Gates vulco flex" flexible hoses. These should be available at any decent factor or maybe even agricultural parts places.

They aren't cheap but will be a permanent fix.

[Wilko220]

Don't put it off, mate...

[skattrd]

I have used flexible silicon hose for a variety of things, turbo, coolant etc. It's not particularly cheap but ideal when std hoses aren't available, search ebay ...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Silicone-Flexible-Flexi-Wire-Hose-Silicon-Rubber-Coolant-Radiator-Water-Bend-/330651268754

 

I've also had http://roosemotorsport.co.uk/ in Lincoln make up custom hoses before. They may have a pattern for what you need, otherwise it takes them a few days.

[fordnut]

I am sure someone local to you probably could give you a hose from a car that it due to be raced as they won't be needing it!

 

I deal in NOS Ford parts for a living and don't think I've got the part you need in stock at the moment (I'd need a bit more info anyway to know exactly what's needed). I don't keep a great deal of MK3 parts due to the limited demand, the only exception being Cosworth 24v items.

 

It is a case of supply and demand. Obviously there is a bigger demand for the hoses than some of the more expensive items which are often Granada specific or generic, many of the hoses are shared with the Ford Sierra which eats into the availability. I think you should be grateful that you can still get the part from Ford given the age of the vehicle and knowing how many of my customers struggle to get some items for newer vehicles.

 

Personally I would make sure that I've managed to source all the parts before I book a vehicle in for work but I know it's not always an option for people and how time consuming it can be trying to source certain things.

[Luxobarges_Are_Us]

In principle, I have solved the problem. These people have databases with dimensions and stuff and can make things to order. They also sell (and post) directly to retail customers. http://www.lee-healey.com/pages/automotive.html

 

From a practical perspective, however, this is no help at all, as it'd take about a week for them to make a new hose for me.

 

Getting a 25-year-old one from a banger wouldn't make a lot of sense. I have a hose on at the moment, but it's rather tired and has started bulging.

 

I think I'll just order a new one and carry it around until the old one bursts and the RAC is summoned to sort it all out (the 'low coolant' warning light means that there's no real risk of the engine getting cooked without me realising it)