Fiat Coupe Club UK

Booster silicone pipes - Crap!

Posted By: Anonymous

Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 27/05/2013 15:12

I replaced all the coolant hoses on my car around 2000 miles ago with a set of the group buy Booster silicone hoses.

Last night, the hose of death exploded and dumped all the coolant, so even though these are supposedly silicone, they're shit!

I bet the stock hose would have lasted a whole lot longer, so anyone having these hoses, I'd replace at least the hose of death for something better.
Posted By: Robotrish

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 27/05/2013 15:34

Sorry to hear this mate Where has the hose failed is it a split is it at jubilee clips is it near the hose retaining clip on engine?
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 27/05/2013 15:59

It split around the hose clip at the thermostat.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 27/05/2013 16:14

Sorry to hear this!
Take a look HERE
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 27/05/2013 17:02

Originally Posted By: dlongstaff
Sorry to hear this!
Take a look HERE


Blimey, I wish I knew this before I bought the set.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 27/05/2013 17:31

I'm now advising these hoses be replaced if I see them.
Garbage

To any onlookers,if your hoses fade then there not silicone so get them replaced ASAP.
Posted By: Rudidudi

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 27/05/2013 18:56

How long ago did you buy them biggy?
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 27/05/2013 19:28

Must be a year and a half ago or so.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 31/05/2013 20:36

I've just replaced the pipe. Can't believe how it failed.

click to enlarge
Posted By: Robotrish

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 31/05/2013 20:49

That's shocking
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 31/05/2013 20:57

wow , thank god i got rid of mine .
Posted By: szkom

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 31/05/2013 20:59

Originally Posted By: Biggenz
I've just replaced the pipe. Can't believe how it failed.

click to enlarge


Unbelievable! No obvious signs of external damage/deterioration.

Which group buy were they from?
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 31/05/2013 21:32

This evening having a quick check under the bonnet (as I have an invite to a special Polo match tomorrow, don't you knows) found a traces of a trickle, touch of the hose and it cracked!
I'll have to save up for some JBT hoses!
Hope it doesn't go pop tomorrow.

Damn those boosted hose! curse
click to enlarge
Posted By: Mark_S

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 31/05/2013 22:33

My God those things are crap, thank goodness I took Roger's advice and purchased Viper
Posted By: Rudidudi

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 01/06/2013 02:50

i almost went for them and a lack of response made me do the viper group buy - thank goodness
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 01/06/2013 09:36

I can see a Viper set on ebay, but they are from China. Does anyone know if this is the same as the group buy? It's dirt cheap so I guess not.
Posted By: banana_man

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 01/06/2013 10:10

Vanair pipes have been good to me,£197 on eBay. Had these fitted to one of my old coupes has far as I know they are still on the car jbt will know if the guy who now owns the car as had any problems!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 01/06/2013 18:58

I've got a set of the cheapo Chinese ones on my car. They look okay to me but suppose only time will tell.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 01/06/2013 19:39

I sell the complete set delivered for £170.
And every pipe is included.

No other kit does more than 9 hoses I think,so 4 short.

Also the reason I get mine made locally is most companies get the kits made in Eastern European countries with the exception of Samco.

I wasn't aware until I researched just how risky it was with these pipes.
Posted By: charlie_croker

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 01/06/2013 23:02

Luckily I bought from Viper and their website says that all their hoses are made by them and not imported. Which is interesting as I seem to recall the seller on one of the Group Buys saying that the hoses were same as those in the group buy?
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 01/06/2013 23:50

Originally Posted By: johnnybravoturbo
I sell the complete set delivered for £170.
And every pipe is included.

No other kit does more than 9 hoses I think,so 4 short.

Also the reason I get mine made locally is most companies get the kits made in Eastern European countries with the exception of Samco.

I wasn't aware until I researched just how risky it was with these pipes.



I have been to John's supplier and can vouch for their operation and expertise; I just needed one particular hose and they knocked it up and gave me a spare for luck. I have JBT's hoses on all three of my Coupes, and have had peace of mind and no issues (yet) thumb . Having messed up a turbocharger (and fortunately not an entire engine) because of a hose failure I can safely say it is a false economy to skimp on coolant hoses. A stitch in time, etc..
Posted By: szkom

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 02/06/2013 07:50

Originally Posted By: charlie_croker
Luckily I bought from Viper and their website says that all their hoses are made by them and not imported. Which is interesting as I seem to recall the seller on one of the Group Buys saying that the hoses were same as those in the group buy?



Indeed, if it's what I think you're referring to then it's in the group buy section still. Under group buy no. 5
Posted By: magooagain

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 02/06/2013 07:52

I think i have the rouge hoses on my coupe.
When hot they or something else lets of a hot unusual kind of smell.

I am constantly checking them. Fingers crossed.
Or maybe just change them all again.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 02/06/2013 08:27

The Booster hoses weren't exactly cheap. They were around £200 for the set if I remember correctly. I wonder if anyone can remember where they were made and what sort of warranty they have.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 02/06/2013 09:01

My first set were a boosted set which I got from DavidL's gb.

Had one fail over manifold within 6 weeks of installation but put it down to running no heat shield.
Then I removed the turbo and both the turbo to rail and turbo to rad hoses crumbled around the clips.
So the 13 year old pipes were better than what I replaced them with.

So for any onlookers I'm assuming its just the boosted pipes that cause concern.


Not heard of a viper or samco issue.
Posted By: Scuderia

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 02/06/2013 09:05

I haven't heard of an issue with plain old rubber hoses so long as you keep the oil off them and use quality clamps.

I would be after my money back if I bought a set of booster hoses!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 02/06/2013 09:15

I don't think he's been seen on here since.

Gb was well over 2 years ago anyway iirc so not much chance of that.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 02/06/2013 10:31

Just replaced my chod along with a thermostat on jbt's advice (with a jbt silicone one) I must say I was very impressed with the condition of the original 13 year old one! It's only done about 70k & its only a vis but it looked like it was a few years old only.hopefully i'll get 70k out of this one as I don't want to do that job again LOL.
Posted By: szkom

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 02/06/2013 10:38

Originally Posted By: johnnybravoturbo
I don't think he's been seen on here since.

Gb was well over 2 years ago anyway iirc so not much chance of that.


If the group buy threads were available we might see if there were any warranty. The GB that came from Viper, organized by Rudidudi, states 3 years warranty, for example. Maybe something that'd help open discussion with the manufacturer?
Posted By: magooagain

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 02/06/2013 11:10

I think i bought my boosted hoses from the club shop.But i am happy to be corrected if wrong.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 02/06/2013 12:25

I'm sure david sold some to the club shop including the 16vt ones at same time I bought mine.

I think boosted only came from that gb but I could be wrong.
Posted By: Rob40

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 02/06/2013 15:09

Thanks guys, after being paranoia-free for a number of years, you slip this one in under the door banghead

This is where I'm getting confused now;
I bought mine on the original gb 2 yrs ago. Apart from the chod, a lot of my other hoses have been on and off more times than I care to remember, with absolutely no signs of anything untoward.
In that time, I have been to Italy twice, stuck in traffic in ambient temps of 45deg with the fans on more than they were off, spanked it there and back in around 16hrs from Carlisle to Tuscany without any problems.

I can't see them making different batches with different compounds so I assume they are all made the same way. My only other observation is, are the clips partly to blame?
I've used Mikalor clamps since God was a boy and swear by them. I've noticed that jubilee clips can easily cut into silicon but I've never had any problems with the Mikalor ones.
Could this be the problem or have people had the same issues using these clamps as well?
Have I just been lucky, so far?
It would be nice to have a comment from DavidL!!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 02/06/2013 16:11

Rob
Two words my friend

Borrowed time
Posted By: crazyf1

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 02/06/2013 19:15

I have the same advice : they are crap !
I bought them in DavidL group buy in March 2010 but only installed them on Dec 2011
They seem porous and always let some coolant leak at both extremities.
This one was faulty but all others seems to do the same.
click to enlarge
I will change them at next coolant drain.
Posted By: coupedummy

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 02/06/2013 21:07

Guess I should get mine inspected? You supplying single hoses jbt?
Posted By: magooagain

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 02/06/2013 22:42

I do inspect mine very often. But my coupe does little work to be honest.
Lets just keep everyone informend as time passes.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 02/06/2013 22:55

Originally Posted By: coupedummy
Guess I should get mine inspected? You supplying single hoses jbt?


I do yes ,tbh short term at the very least I would be most concerned about the chod as that's the one that doesn't give warning.
Gauge on dash won't tell you and the coolant doesn't fall on a hot surface causing smoke.
So there really isn't any signs until its too late.
Most other pipes will give the driver plenty of notice

Might also be worth the club putting up a post like they did with the brake hoses warning folk about these as it isnt an isolated incident unfortunately.
Posted By: Rudidudi

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 02/06/2013 23:31

Given the feedback that everyone has given, I suspect that we will see more failures from these as time passes.
Posted By: coupedummy

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 02/06/2013 23:46

Originally Posted By: johnnybravoturbo
Originally Posted By: coupedummy
Guess I should get mine inspected? You supplying single hoses jbt?


I do yes ,tbh short term at the very least I would be most concerned about the chod as that's the one that doesn't give warning.
Gauge on dash won't tell you and the coolant doesn't fall on a hot surface causing smoke.
So there really isn't any signs until its too late.
Most other pipes will give the driver plenty of notice

Might also be worth the club putting up a post like they did with the brake hoses warning folk about these as it isnt an isolated incident unfortunately.


Don't I know that, chod failing on way back from donny a few years back..new engine and luckier at your place where my turbo feed burst with the engine switched off!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 03/06/2013 06:27

Originally Posted By: johnnybravoturbo
Originally Posted By: coupedummy
Guess I should get mine inspected? You supplying single hoses jbt?


I do yes ,tbh short term at the very least I would be most concerned about the chod as that's the one that doesn't give warning.
Gauge on dash won't tell you and the coolant doesn't fall on a hot surface causing smoke.
So there really isn't any signs until its too late.
Most other pipes will give the driver plenty of notice

Might also be worth the club putting up a post like they did with the brake hoses warning folk about these as it isnt an isolated incident unfortunately.


I actually heard mine going. Didn't realise what it was straight away but saw the steam/coolant in my rear view mirror as I was leaving Barbz behind. laugh Then thought I'd better pull over.
Posted By: Rudidudi

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 04/06/2013 07:29

Originally Posted By: Biggenz
I actually heard mine going. Didn't realise what it was straight away but saw the steam/coolant in my rear view mirror as I was leaving Barbz behind. laugh Then thought I'd better pull over.


Barbz was parked up with his engine off wink
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 04/06/2013 23:03

Quote:
I actually heard mine going. Didn't realise what it was straight away but saw the steam/coolant in my rear view mirror as I was leaving Barbz behind. Then thought I'd better pull over.
rofl

When 2 mighty 500hp coupes do battle at 2.15 bar, there will be casualties. smile
The ferocious pace was too much for biggy's tiny Aaaaands. laugh

"Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win.!
Posted By: one4seven

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 26/06/2013 10:27

Maybe covered already, but is there a consensus on an alloy replacement for the rear hose?

http://www.proalloy.co.uk/cgi-bin/sitewise.pl?act=det&p=1059

Or due to the silicon connectors is it just as susceptible to the same issues as standard pipes?
Posted By: paul

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 26/06/2013 17:19

Ahhhhhhh,sh*t better go and check mine frown
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 07/02/2015 10:35

Sorry to resurrect such an old thread but I've only just found out about this and I'm appalled. I've a set of these on my coupe right now. shocked
Having purchased mine through FCCUK I have to ask why didn't anyone within club administration think to send a letter or even just a PM to the buyers? We don't all sit glued to the Tuning section. rolleyes
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 07/02/2015 12:55

Barney , this is because fccuk didn't sell the pipes and wouldn't have had any idea who bought the sets , this was bought via a group buy so its down to the seller/buyer not fccuk , get in contact with the seller as they are who you bought them from .
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 07/02/2015 13:15

I still have the PMs. Payment for my set was sent to the club. Persons involved at the time were PorkyPaul and PeteP.
I'm not interested in creating friction here but I do think it should be possible for the club to contact buyers and issue a warning. Even though this is old news for many there may be others in the same situation as I was until today.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 07/02/2015 17:55

I take it all back Barney as I didn't know the club bought any of these pipes to sell , I have only seen the group buy for these .
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 07/02/2015 18:03

It's not a problem. No damage done, I'm just thinking damage limitation (for others). smile
Posted By: magooagain

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 08/02/2015 07:40

There are no issues in my opinion. Mine are fine. They have been on my coupe{now a track coupe) for at least 4 years.

Other coupe folks here in France have worked with me on my car have said they look good quality.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 08/02/2015 09:27

Clearly there are issues for some people. Mine are being replaced immediately. The factory hoses this kit replaced all looked to be in fairly good condition but were substituted anyway for peace of mind.

Probability of failure is not something I can speculate on. What I can do though is highlight to the club that some people who bought these kits may be unaware. In cases where they were bought direct from FCCUK I'd expect some kind of record exists. Should therefore be a trivial matter to issue an advisory to those buyers. If that's not possible on this occasion it's certainly something to consider in the future.
Posted By: magooagain

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 08/02/2015 13:28

Fair enough Barney i respect your opinion.

I am almost fanatical about checking my coupe over,so lets hope i see a sign if there is any problem. Clips are checked every time i use it.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 08/02/2015 14:10

thumb Genuinely, have my fingers crossed you continue to have no problems.
In my case there's a lack of talent and experience. The best I can do is learn from this forum, arrange regular visits to a specialist and spend money pre-emptively on parts. Frequent oil checks and cleaning is about my limit! smile
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 08/02/2015 18:50

I have had a couple of these go on me.
The most recent was a couple of months ago. I was in bumper to bumper traffic luckily! when a large cloud of steam appeared.
Although I was in the outer lane I was able to pull into a side street and turn off engine quickly.
This one split big time and not as you might expect, such as where it is clamped but a long it's length.
Been meaning to change them for some time. Guess this thread is the reminder I need.
click to enlarge
Posted By: Rudidudi

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 08/02/2015 23:24

Originally Posted By: dlongstaff
click to enlarge


wow, lucky.

odd way for the hose to fail.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 20/02/2015 21:18

Hose video link
Just to add.
Thought I would see how brittle the hose actually was before I threw it in the bin.
Posted By: Robotrish

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 20/02/2015 22:02

Wow
What a video.
That hose is absolutely shot, I didn't think you could do that to a silicone hose.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 21/02/2015 08:33

There not pure silicone,
Many companies now use impurities as the price of pure silicone is expensive.

So to be competitive in today's market the quality is compromised.

Whatever kit you buy,if its silicone you must ask if its pure and uk supplied.

Anything sub £130 then be very wary of the material used.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 21/02/2015 15:22

Out of interest I checked my PayPal history to see what I did pay for these. I payed for them on the 30/09/10 they cost £184.00 as part of the group buy!
I bought a set from you JBT the other day. thumb
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 21/02/2015 17:50

Oh cock. I'm sure my 20vt has got a full compliment of these hoses.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 21/02/2015 22:11

fiatphil if they have boosted on them then change them
I have left mine on too long, this is I think the third to go.
Maybe you not read past posts. HERE
To be honest I'm pretty dubious about group buys as an aside.
That's another thread though!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 22/02/2015 11:37

Originally Posted By: dlongstaff
fiatphil if they have boosted on them then change them
I have left mine on too long, this is I think the third to go.
Maybe you not read past posts. HERE
To be honest I'm pretty dubious about group buys as an aside.
That's another thread though!


Bugger. All mine are Booster ones. Ive checked all the ones i can see fron on top of the engine bay and they all seem ok. Will keep an eye on them for now.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 22/02/2015 19:54

Fully agree with dlongstaff. Smart move is to get a set from JBT soonest possible.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 22/02/2015 20:38

Originally Posted By: Barney
Fully agree with dlongstaff. Smart move is to get a set from JBT soonest possible.


They will Be with you for Wednesday
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 25/02/2015 20:51

Thanks JBT. The hoses arrived today, which was good timing as this morning another one sprang a pin hole leak! Which soon became a bigger problem.
I'll be fitting them tomorrow then I can relax.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Booster silicone pipes - Crap! - 28/02/2015 21:35

Two noticeable differences fitting the new hose.
It was very easy to know that they were tight without over doing it as they so much softer than the booster ones so seal without effort.
Secondly, the outer diameter is larger by half a mm.
Cheers. JBT
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