Hose selection looks complicated because there are many constructions, but the choice is driven by four things: what the hose carries, how hot it gets, whether it is under pressure or vacuum, and how much it has to bend. Work through those and the construction usually selects itself.
This is the first filter, because it eliminates constructions on chemical grounds. Air and coolant are compatible with standard silicone. Fuel, oil, solvent, fuel vapour and oil mist are not, and any hose carrying them needs the fluorosilicone construction. Get this wrong and the hose will fail from the inside, usually looking fine from the outside until it does.
The second filter is the direction of the load. A hose on the pressurised side of the system - a charge pipe, an intercooler boot, a boost path - is being pushed outward and needs reinforcement that resists bursting and ballooning. A hose on the suction side is being pushed inward and needs a wire helix that resists collapse. A construction that suits one is not suitable for the other.
All silicone handles heat, but the reinforcement inside the wall has to survive the same temperatures. In areas close to the turbocharger or the exhaust manifold, this is where a reinforcement chosen for strength alone can let you down. If the hose runs hot, say so and we will check the construction against the temperature rather than assuming it is fine.
A hose that has to make a tight bend is being asked to do two things at once: carry fluid and hold its shape around a corner. Tight bends are where hoses kink and where a plain construction is most likely to flatten. If your routing is tight, that alone can justify a wire-reinforced or heavier construction.
If you are unsure, do not guess - describe the application instead. Tell us what the hose connects, what it carries, whether it is pressurised or under vacuum, and the temperature it sees. That is enough for us to specify the construction for you. You can browse the families on our performance silicone hose, fluorocarbon lined, Nomex reinforced and wire reinforced pages, or use our custom silicone service if nothing standard fits.
