Stuart G
Cargo 7.5 Ton Driver
Posts: 211
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Post by Stuart G on Nov 21, 2013 6:55:23 GMT 1
Two of the rarest parts for a heavyweight, L10 engined Cargo nowadays are the top and bottom radiator hoses (yes, I kid you not!). These are Ford only parts and model (3828 etc) exclusive - anything that falls into both of those categories are near impossible to source! Not found on a 7.5 tonner and not a Cummins part. The top hose is especially difficult as it is impossible (imo!) to copy it using elbows and bends etc, with stainless steel connectors. Yes, you can get a mandrel made up to copy it, but the tooling charge I was quoted was close to £400 for one hose inc vodka & tonic... I have managed to find a source of spares in New Zealand (that's where most Langley built heavyweights ended up!) so a good(ish) aftermarket spares base exists there. I say good (ish) because some bits are not available anywhere. Drop arm links being the ultimate example. Roger Hastings and I will be importing a few spares (hoses), but any owners of L10 engined trucks should contact Barry Phillips Motors of Auckland. They are an excellent source of spares and have all the hoses in stock and the shipping costs from the other side of the world are acceptable (much, much, cheaper compared to the mandrel option!). My top hose blew about a month ago in spectacular fashion and I did manage to source a spare from Roger Hastings - though looking for a second back up, led me to New Zealand. Strange how it all works eh!
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Post by alfiebeard on Nov 22, 2013 23:34:23 GMT 1
Good info Stuart....I had heard some time ago that these hoses were unobtainable in the UK its good to get as many spares sources as possible for our Cargo's.
Kind Regards
Alf
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Stuart G
Cargo 7.5 Ton Driver
Posts: 211
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Post by Stuart G on Nov 24, 2013 7:36:48 GMT 1
Tbh Alfie - I had held off for ages trying to locate a new one (top), because I knew it was going to be VERY difficult, even without nosing around it was obvious the top hose was going to be a bastard. Then, about a month back on my way for an MOT, the bloody thing blew, blowing anti-freeze mix everywhere and costing me £95 in MOT costs and £250 in call out (I hadn't any way of patching it up). All this when I had, had an intercooler hose go about 2 years ago and that resulted in me changing just about every other hose apart from top and bottom rad. Everything else could be done in Gates Green Stripe Flexi, but not these two.
One thing to note here is the hose blew on top of the bend as it comes out the thermostat housing (a 57mm bore hose with a VERY acute 90 degree bend as soon as it exits the engine). Truck has only 136,000KMS on the clock and the hose was the original one imo. Age is the key here.
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Post by alfiebeard on Nov 24, 2013 23:41:33 GMT 1
I agree that age is the key to rubber hoses failing they collapse inside and the cords that are embedded in the rubber rots then that allows the hose to balloon and burst, this happened a couple of months ago on my old Isuzu Trooper. I had replaced every sodding hose on it apart from the two small heater hoses at the very back of the engine and I had just filled it up with expensive OAT antifreeze as well, on my way to work I was flogging it down the A74 and suddenly noticed someone flashing their headlights in my mirror , when I looked in the mirror all I say was steam pouring out of the back. I pulled over and found the heater hose had burst but I couldn't even see it let alone repair it, I bypassed the heater at the front of the engine and luckily I hadn't boiled it totally dry so no other damage was done. everyone reading your post should check their hoses by squeezing them and see if they feel crunchy if so replace them its cheaper than an engine rebuild Alf
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Stuart G
Cargo 7.5 Ton Driver
Posts: 211
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Post by Stuart G on Nov 25, 2013 11:43:54 GMT 1
I agree that age is the key to rubber hoses failing they collapse inside and the cords that are embedded in the rubber rots then that allows the hose to balloon and burst, this happened a couple of months ago on my old Isuzu Trooper. I had replaced every sodding hose on it apart from the two small heater hoses at the very back of the engine and I had just filled it up with expensive OAT antifreeze as well, on my way to work I was flogging it down the A74 and suddenly noticed someone flashing their headlights in my mirror , when I looked in the mirror all I say was steam pouring out of the back. I pulled over and found the heater hose had burst but I couldn't even see it let alone repair it, I bypassed the heater at the front of the engine and luckily I hadn't boiled it totally dry so no other damage was done. everyone reading your post should check their hoses by squeezing them and see if they feel crunchy if so replace them its cheaper than an engine rebuild Alf Sounds like we've both had a similar experience these past couple of months. I was really surprised, as in the past (non-Cargo) the hoses I've had go were under serious load and had obvious oil damage on the top. The hose on the L10 really did look very good - no oil erosion and the fact I was running it solo unit everywhere made me somewhat complacent. I learnt a stern lesson.....and that top hose with the cost of the new one + backup, + MOT fee loss + callout will be bordering on £500+........though of course if I'd have cooked the engine and had to write the truck off, it would have been goodbye to £5k. Hey, ho the joys of truck (Cargo) ownership...
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Post by alfiebeard on Nov 25, 2013 23:55:24 GMT 1
Ha ha Strange eh its always either the most expensive hose or the one that you cant get to that busts, sods law mate.
just be thank full the old lass didn't roast herself then that would have been sad.
Alf
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