Silicone vs Rubber Radiator Hose

The construction and materials of rubber radiator hoses have evolved considerably in the last 30 years or so. For example, unlike radiator hoses produced 30 years ago, which contained a lot of unstable natural rubber, modern radiator hoses are usually made of EPDM (ethylene propylene diene monomer) rubber compounds.

Benefits of rubber radiator hoses

Most OEM rubber radiator hoses are rated for a maximum coolant temperature of approximately 2570F, which is well above the coolant temperature in a normally operating engine.

The combination of advanced chemistry and performance of rubber radiator hoses gives modern rubber hoses an expected life of 6 years, often longer. The high density EPDM material translates into extremely low permeability, which largely prevents high quality engine coolant from passing through the hose walls over time.

Rubber radiator hoses are at least an order of magnitude more cost effective (and much cheaper) than comparable silicone hoses.

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Silicone hoses

High-quality silicone hoses from reputable manufacturers are usually molded or extruded from pure silicon to exact specifications and sizes. However, high quality silicone radiator hoses always contain one or more layers of braided polyester as a reinforcement for the hose walls and in some cases silicone hoses may also contain a steel wire reinforcement layer to prevent the hose from collapsing under suction conditions (e.g. when the engine cools quickly). In practice, silicone radiator hoses are a viable direct alternative to rubber hoses.

Advantages of silicone radiator hoses

Most high-quality silicone radiator hoses are safe to use at coolant temperatures up to 350°F (although most thermostats used in road vehicles open and close at temperatures well below this). It should be noted, however, that when engine coolant reaches this temperature, the engine will almost certainly suffer fatal heat damage, rendering the high temperature rating ineffective in most applications.

Silicone radiator hoses are available in a wide range of colors, which is great if you want to add style and flair to the engine compartment of your car.

In harsh environments, silicone rubber is more likely to retain its flexibility than rubber hose.

Silicone Radiator Hose

Silicone radiator hose vs. rubber

There is no easy answer to this question as properly installed, high quality rubber and silicone hoses perform well in most situations.

Conclusion

Considering that OEM rubber radiator hoses often come with a meaningful warranty, careful consideration must be given before replacing OEM rubber hoses with self-assembling silicone hoses. Despite the price increase, silicone hoses usually do not come with any kind of warranty.

Overall, when choosing between rubber and silicone radiator hoses, our general recommendation is to stick with rubber hoses as the high-value option unless your particular situation requires a switch to silicone. That said, if you're modifying your car and the silicone hoses fit your performance or style preferences, there's certainly nothing wrong with choosing a set of silicone radiator hoses if there's a trade-off.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How long will a rubber hose last?

It depends on the brand. Well-known and reputable radiator hoses can easily last up to 10 years.

Car manufacturers make thousands of hoses, so they are confident that their products will last a long time.

Are silicone hoses suitable for coolants?

Yes! Silicone radiator hoses are the best choice for coolants. This is thanks to their flexible design. Unlike rubber radiator hoses, they can carry hot liquids without causing any damage.

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