Coolant Hoses (Durite) vs Caustic Soda

addo · Post by **addo** » 04 Oct 2011, 06:10

How do they fare?

I'm experimenting with clearing the oily coolant crap from my 605 by stewing a replacement header tank (from another car with the same problem) in strong caustic. The oil has formed like a marine grade grease.

What happens if I put hoses in a caustic bath for a day or two? Some will be very difficult to clean fully by manual methods.

HDI · Post by **HDI** » 04 Oct 2011, 12:10

Not to be recommended ! The rubber compound may resist the caustic, although that can't be certain as a number of different compounds are used and not all will resist.
One thing is definite though, the caustic will wick up into the reinforcement and gradually ruin the hose.

addo · Post by **addo** » 04 Oct 2011, 12:36

Thanks; I hoped you'd chime in. Sounds like it will be a mission, then.

KP · Post by KP » 04 Oct 2011, 13:12

Just dilute loads of fairy liquid into a very warm bath of water and leave it to soak into the pipes for a day or two, then it will help break anything on them down.

Failing that try dishwashing tablets in a bowl with the pipes and some warm water and another few days and then give them a good rinse by hand as they make things very slippy but they dont half strip any built up dirt off

IIRC Jim also reccomends some stuff that is/was used for cleaning kids milk bottle outs, Milten is it??

HDI · Post by **HDI** » 04 Oct 2011, 14:22

Another potential issue to consider, as the hoses have been exposed to oil contamination and are not intended to be resistant to oil, they may already be compromised.

addo · Post by **addo** » 05 Oct 2011, 00:47

Yes, that is true; they're already compromised - just don't want to make it worse! I've barely got past the stage of looking for trails of steam every time I drive the car anywhere...

KP - I can assure you that anything resembling marine grease won't shift quickly with dish detergent or tablets.

KP · Post by KP » 05 Oct 2011, 08:03

Have you thought about getting some replacement silicone hoses if available, or if not som straights, and bends and some small sections of stainless steel to replace them?

addo · Post by **addo** » 05 Oct 2011, 08:08

I have.

That's probably how it will end up; the other possibility being a small run of silicon hoses for the three or four owners who wouldn't mind paying.

As it would probably run to £800+ per car I don't envisage any UK XM or 605 owner wanting to play with us there.

I still remember the carry-on at Stew Baker's very reasonably priced BX valver hose kits.

lexi · Post by **lexi** » 05 Oct 2011, 16:44

Coat the hoses in Swarfega and leave overnight. Hit them with steam next day.

Caustic aint that great for oil.

Failing that get a great big soup pot and boil the lot in GUNK