400 top hose.

[Old man Utah]

Hi guys.
On my way to work this morning I noticed steam starting to come out from under the hood. By the time I was able to pull in it was starting to look like an open air sauna! Steam everywhere! I thought to myself that it couldn't be the radiator, hosepipes to the heater or top and bottom hoses because it was all replaced within the past 12 months. On further investigation it turned out to be.........the top radiator hose!! This is a Gates top hose , fitted within the last year and it had developed a serious split by the thermostat housing. When I took it off to cut off a couple of inches and refit till I got home, it was like cutting butter. Is this yet more evidence of the "China syndrome" that needs to be addressed. It's not good enough really is it. Anyone else had this happen.
Old Man Utah.

 

[1978 NYB]

No problem here.

 

[1978 NYB]

Top hose from AAP and bottom hose from Napa.

 

[Old man Utah]

Ok. That's great and thank you. We just need to know of these better parts.

 

[Yeahrightgreer]

If I’m not mistaken - Gates products are made here in the states. Some vendors lists it as made in China but a lot of their products are printed with “Made in USA”

 

[Gerald Morris]

All the Gates stuff I see is U.S.A. made. Appropos of which, I'm thinking about silicon radiator hose. After 3 yrs of dousing with power steering fluid, the Gates hoses I installed ARE a bit soft! Now, look at THIS:

Gates 24828 Radiator Coolant Hose-Straight(Silicone) Lower/Upper fits 08-11 330 | eBay

Any Moparians know much about this sort of hose?