21 replies to this topic

[T-5Bandit]

Anyone have any experience with the URO heater hoses sold by FCP? They are half the price of OEM, so I am trying to figure out if these are good to use. Or is it better to use OEM?

[850 LongBeach]

FCP groton is trustworthy


Those hoses should do fine..

[Bah]

i just bought a month back the upper turbo coolant hose (3 inch one) volvo oem from groton..great condition, extra reinforced.

I ordered the lower return line as well....and it turned out to be URO...it was definitely softer the the volvo, but, it was the only ones i see available to order. It appeared to be the same quality as the old OEM, but definitely not an upgrade. Granted, these hoses seem to last a good long while...it was in great condition and new...i would imagine the quality of it is fine..but i would have preferred the OEM my self.

I think if your doing the heater hoses, you're gonna get 5-6 years before even notice, and really imo this goes with any rubber hose...hence the upgrade to silicone when at all possible.

I wish someone would give some quality reviews on URO...i've not exactly read bad, but nothing good either. Curious if its equivalent to OEM or if its scantech

i would order with confidence from groton though....i know if i go to put it on and i compare it to the stock, i can call them up and see what they recommend. Same for your heater hoses i'm sure!

[TryingBe]

Bah, on 14 September 2009 - 06:16 PM, said:

I wish someone would give some quality reviews on URO...i've not exactly read bad, but nothing good either. Curious if its equivalent to OEM or if its scantech

Here you go, with pictures.

6 months old Uro vs new Gates, upper and lower radiator hoses. The Uro are ultra soft, spongy, and slightly deformed. No matter how tight I clamp the lower hose to the radiator, it would never stop dropping. I'd never buy another Uro hose again, given it will need to be replaced in less than 6 months.

Pepboys carry Gates radiator and for a very reasonable price. Might want to check them out.

[T-5Bandit]

I appreciate the replys, and I guess it gives me some insight to the quality of URO hoses. However, I am not talking about the radiator hoses, I am trying to get feedback/reviews about the URO heater hoses that come from the heater core coupler on the firewall to the the engine.

More specifically these:
Heater hose inlet

Heater hose outlet

I have been ordering from FCP for years, so I am completely aware of their excellent customer service. This is one of those repairs I rather not due again in the short term due to a non durable part, regardless if FCP stands behind replacing it if it fails.

[Bah]

TryingBe, on 14 September 2009 - 07:18 PM, said:

Here you go, with pictures.

6 months old Uro vs new Gates, upper and lower radiator hoses. The Uro are ultra soft, spongy, and slightly deformed. No matter how tight I clamp the lower hose to the radiator, it would never stop dropping. I'd never buy another Uro hose again, given it will need to be replaced in less than 6 months.

Pepboys carry Gates radiator and for a very reasonable price. Might want to check them out.

Thank you for the review. I think i will end up seeing if i can order the OEM hose through them for that lower turbo coolant hose. I have Silicone Upper and Lower from Styling which make me comfortable on that...but that lower hose, being URO, and being unable to to see it, makes me cautious.

I think the point were getting at Bandit, is that, if the upper and lowers do this, what do you think the heater hoses will do? They have hot coolant coming through them just as well...i know its probably not as bad, but it's just something you don't want to take chances with!

thats my view on it atleast...i hope FCP sells the OEM lower turbo return hose lol...i woulda bought it the first time but i couldnt find it..and shipping is such a PITA =0..Hopefully they got the OBX systems in and i can just throw it in that order hehe

[Ozark Lee]

Wow,

Those pictures are pretty damning. My experience thus far with URO parts has been OK. Most, if not all, of the PCV parts that you get from FCP will be URO parts - I am a year in on two PCV changes and I have nothing bad to say about them yet.

I have put in a couple of URO branded motor mounts and the same thing - nothing to complain about. With the exception of the Scan Tech trailing arm end links that I bought from eEuroparts everything that I have ever bought from FCP that was Scan Tech branded has failed within 6 months.

Scan Tech = Garbage.

Thank God for Jamie and Don.

...Lee

[troyhyde]

In my experience a used set of Volvo hoses off of something in the junkyard tend to outlast the cheap aftermarket hoses by a long stretch. The aftermarket stuff is really marginal. Very soft and seem to swell up - obviously not quality material being used in the rubber compound.


Here is the pecking order I'd put parts in:

New OEM from Waltrip Volvo - best (call them, their prices are the best on OEM)
Old OEM off of a junkyard car - good - fine for many parts
Aftermarket stuff - total gamble / junk

[troyhyde]

... As for the PCV stuff, I bought the URO stuff and had problems with the rubber elbows. They were too soft and would tear and/or leak without much cause. My car is running fairly high pressure so stress is surely playing a role. The OEM Volvo stuff is the same price from Waltrip and the rubber elbows are quality and very rigid. Haven't had any other problems.

[T-5Bandit]

troyhyde, on 15 September 2009 - 05:26 AM, said:

In my experience a used set of Volvo hoses off of something in the junkyard tend to outlast the cheap aftermarket hoses by a long stretch. The aftermarket stuff is really marginal. Very soft and seem to swell up - obviously not quality material being used in the rubber compound.


Here is the pecking order I'd put parts in:

New OEM from Waltrip Volvo - best (call them, their prices are the best on OEM)
Old OEM off of a junkyard car - good - fine for many parts
Aftermarket stuff - total gamble / junk

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

I was already ordering a bunch of other stuff from DW, so that's why I was trying decide OEM vs. URO. Unfortunately, DW wasn't as low on the heater hoses as I hoped - I think one was $41 and the other $55. I ended up ordering the OEM hoses from them. I have been down the OEM vs. aftermarket multiple times over the years, and in the end it's just not worth redoing the job if there is any question to part quality.

Bah, on 15 September 2009 - 02:58 AM, said:

thats my view on it atleast...i hope FCP sells the OEM lower turbo return hose lol...i woulda bought it the first time but i couldnt find it..and shipping is such a PITA =0..Hopefully they got the OBX systems in and i can just throw it in that order hehe

FYI....I just ordered the OEM lower turbo return line from DW for @$6.

[Bah]

T-5Bandit, on 15 September 2009 - 09:47 PM, said:

Thanks for the feedback everyone.

I was already ordering a bunch of other stuff from DW, so that's why I was trying decide OEM vs. URO. Unfortunately, DW wasn't as low on the heater hoses as I hoped - I think one was $41 and the other $55. I ended up ordering the OEM hoses from them. I have been down the OEM vs. aftermarket multiple times over the years, and in the end it's just not worth redoing the job if there is any question to part quality.



FYI....I just ordered the OEM lower turbo return line from DW for @$6.

I actually just sent them an email this morning LOL...FCP offered me a refund on the URO..but its my fault..but really do appreciate their willingness!

On these hoses, i can't afford to go aftermarket unless its silicone.....If OEM lasts 10 years, i want another 10 years I don't want to be doing new hoses every year...Once and then out of sight, out of mind, no worries.

I'm gonna try and put together a thread/writeup of pretty much redoing the entire cooling system sans heater hoses/inside car...OEM hoses for upper and lower turbo and Stylin upper and lower rad hoses and Stylin Vacuum Silicone lines for the coolant overflow as well as new 87 degree thermostat ,o-ring, and OEM ECT. Don't take chances in florida weather

[Chilled Man]

OEM > Samco > FCP > Stylin

[T-5Bandit]

Bah, on 15 September 2009 - 10:07 PM, said:

I actually just sent them an email this morning LOL...FCP offered me a refund on the URO..but its my fault..but really do appreciate their willingness!

On these hoses, i can't afford to go aftermarket unless its silicone.....If OEM lasts 10 years, i want another 10 years I don't want to be doing new hoses every year...Once and then out of sight, out of mind, no worries.

I'm gonna try and put together a thread/writeup of pretty much redoing the entire cooling system sans heater hoses/inside car...OEM hoses for upper and lower turbo and Stylin upper and lower rad hoses and Stylin Vacuum Silicone lines for the coolant overflow as well as new 87 degree thermostat ,o-ring, and OEM ECT. Don't take chances in florida weather

I would go OEM or Samco for the upper and lower radiator hoses. I did everything you are doing 1 1/2 years ago and went with the Stylin hoses. I am actually replacing the Stylin lower rad hose with OEM when I do the turbo swap and replace the heater hoses. The Stylin hose overall just doesn't fit right.

[Bah]

No love for Stylin?

Their upper and lower hoses are much more sturdier then the samco's i put on the N/A...seems more unlikely to ever have problems (except for putting them on)

I agree OEM is best for those turbo coolant lines..was gonna do styling heater hose but OEM appears better choice..but for upper and lower, just looking at the stylin hoses, they seem to be the strongest, thickest, probably hardest mofos to put on. But once they are on, they're on i bet

Unless youve got a story for me chilled man..i've already got them sitting in my front hallway..but curious =)

[T-5Bandit]

Bah, on 15 September 2009 - 10:23 PM, said:

No love for Stylin?

Their upper and lower hoses are much more sturdier then the samco's i put on the N/A...seems more unlikely to ever have problems (except for putting them on)

I agree OEM is best for those turbo coolant lines..was gonna do styling heater hose but OEM appears better choice..but for upper and lower, just looking at the stylin hoses, they seem to be the strongest, thickest, probably hardest mofos to put on. But once they are on, they're on i bet

Unless youve got a story for me chilled man..i've already got them sitting in my front hallway..but curious =)

Silicon radiator hoses really provide little benefit over OEM, if any, other than for astetics. When I removed my old hoses they were 9 years old and had over a 160K of miles on them - they still were good. I was only replacing them for preventative maintenance and to have the red upper hose, the lower hose can barely be seen anyways.

[Bah]

mmm i wish i could see 160k miles out of my hoses LOL

The ones i did on the 1993...were terrible. And the engine was replaced with OEM stuff about 30k miles ago. They were bulging and whatnot...and still had stock clamps. did not do it for me. Put samcos on...comparing the build quality it was a no brainer. I've had Samcos on that car, for the past 15-20k miles..aside from being a pain to put on at first, they show 0 wear, other then dirt LOL..

Same with my R...looking at the hoses..the upper 3 inch turbo line is about to explode LOL...it looks terrible. The upper radiator hows quite a bit of wear, and lower radiator looks pretty bummed....car has ~130k actual miles...

Granted, the new OEM 3 inch turbo line is awesome and i am glad im going with that over the silicone...it looks alot stronger..can't wait to put that in. Same reason im going with OEM for that lower hose...Looks like those are best left OEM.

But for the upper and lower i have nothing but problems here with any car i buy...Camaro i got had the hoses about to explode(granted thats whole other can of worms..but..).



Maybe it's something about florida? lol....Silicone i feel comfortable with here, i agree its probably 95% cosmetic, but, just knowing how thick and sturdy these are..i doubt i'll ever have to replace/change...i've read over time silicone will do the same as rubber, but, if anything i don't think it makes sense for a stronger material to do it as quickly. To each his own i guess..and haha..i'm doing for preventative, definitely not aesthetic, since i ordered black hoses for that , and black vacuum hoses

I expect silicone hoses to last the life of the car..vs Rubber i know will at some point deteriorate and break down, atleast at a quicker rate then the silicone. maybe its all in my head idk...but if im gonna replace OEM lines(like the coolant overflow), i'd rather use silicone, just for the hope of a further longevity and same performance as OEM.

Thats my arguement atleast, and i'm stickin to it But i've never heard complaints about Stylin/samco/oem upper/lowers...except that the samcos and stylins orginally would touch the oil dipstick...Stylin made the appropriate changes, dunno if samco ever did, hence my buy with stylin =)

Hopefully i'll get in touch with DW, and in the next 2 weeks be able to do what i got planned...and you guys can tell me what you think/Will it last.

Sorry to drag this on, but, Cooling systems when temperatures are over 100 degrees, is a big thing for me..especially now that i have a turbo :x Longevity is a must, because, i still carry a container of antifreeze and a gallon of distilled water in my 1993 from previous experiences...

[T-5Bandit]

Bah, on 15 September 2009 - 10:56 PM, said:

Thats my arguement atleast, and i'm stickin to it But i've never heard complaints about Stylin/samco/oem upper/lowers...except that the samcos and stylins orginally would touch the oil dipstick...Stylin made the appropriate changes, dunno if samco ever did, hence my buy with stylin =)

I hear you man, either way your not short cutting anything and that's what matters.

FYI..The only thing Stylin changed to lower radiator hose to avoid the rubbing was make it longer on each end, with objective that you trim it down to where it can be routed to not rub.

[Bah]

T-5Bandit, on 15 September 2009 - 11:57 PM, said:

I hear you man, either way your not short cutting anything and that's what matters.

FYI..The only thing Stylin changed to lower radiator hose to avoid the rubbing was make it longer on each end, with objective that you trim it down to where it can be routed to not rub.

Didn't know that part =0

Lol...i hope i don't have to cut through those suckers..when i tried to slice the samcos (they wouldnt fit on my 93 at first) i had no luck with...pretty much anything to slice it...razor blade broke on it LOL

Thanks for the info bro. I'm sure i'll be posting when the time comes =p

BTW did you ever try driving with the heater hoses bypassed? I'm curious if anyones tried that lately..incase im ever on the side of the road, and the 16 year old OEM's give out..mine on the 96 look fine, but the 93's are pretty rough...scared to touch em for fear i might rip it =p

[T-5Bandit]

Bah, on 16 September 2009 - 12:25 AM, said:

Didn't know that part =0

Lol...i hope i don't have to cut through those suckers..when i tried to slice the samcos (they wouldnt fit on my 93 at first) i had no luck with...pretty much anything to slice it...razor blade broke on it LOL

Thanks for the info bro. I'm sure i'll be posting when the time comes =p

BTW did you ever try driving with the heater hoses bypassed? I'm curious if anyones tried that lately..incase im ever on the side of the road, and the 16 year old OEM's give out..mine on the 96 look fine, but the 93's are pretty rough...scared to touch em for fear i might rip it =p

I had to do it with my Stylin lower radiator hose and cut through the hose just fine. Just need a sharp utility knife.

Never had to do a heater hose bypass. Mine are actually fine right now, I am looking to replace them as preventative due to age and for ease of install because I will already have the turbo and lower radiator hose out.

[Chilled Man]

only had nothing but issues getting the stylin hoses one espcially with 99+ cars the top rad never fits I have 4 cars now like that and it irritates the hell out of me .

Granted there vaccum hose kits KICK ASS