Morris Minor Owners Club

Hi guys,

About a year ago (and 3000 odd miles) I changed all the hoses and thermostat (I bought the hoses from a well know trader on the web). Two months ago the fiddly hose from the head to the water pump split - replaced with heater type hose. I now notice that the top hose is starting to crack.
Questions: Is this just bad luck? Are there a set of heavy duty type hoses on the market?

Thanks,

Idris.

It's not bad luck, it's bad parts. All rubber bits have been rubbish for a while, and they're getting worse. Jonathon, I believe, has a contact for better silicon sheathed hoses, and I expect some other folk do too.

I know someone with a Mini, posted before about it - He bought brand new "Made in England" top and bottom hoses from a reputable company, within a month they were cracking!

The bottom hose split after about 6 months, and he replaced both - The top hoses now seem to be one size fits none, so had to be trimmed to get even close to fitting his 998. Not good when these weren't the cheapest around. My Triumph on teh other hand could well still have the originals, which are still in better condition than his new ones, and could be 34 years old now!

So it seems the curernt rubber hoses are just rubbish, to be polite about them.

Having had a problem with hoses and other rubber components myself, I seriously think the time has come to ask the following questions,
1. Is the part of satisfactory quality, and
2. Is the part fit for purpose.
I for one will be watching very closely any new rubber components I fit from now on

Well I know the so called Kelvar reinforced ones show signs of cracking very rapidly and look awful in a very short space of time and I dont know how long they last as I have not had to use any so far but Andrew is right Jonathan was looking into it I think from a Saab supplier or similar and the extra cost if they last has got to be worth it.

Tried those too Kevin

You mean the Kelvar ones and not the others dont you Bill.

Sorry, yes I meant the Kevlar ones.