The heater hose and coolant hose are two of the most vital hoses in the car cooling system. Do you need to change them? Or are you only curious about their differences? Whatever the reason is, a comparison in heater hose vs coolant hose will definitely enhance your knowledge.
The key difference is the working processes. When your car’s engine is active, it heats too much. A coolant hose transfers a coolant mixture that absorbs the heat to keep the engine cool. Then a heater hose releases excess heat to the open air and cycles the coolant liquid back to the engine.
A detailed comparison between these two hoses can be more helpful to understand the processes. We have explained the differences in this article and also provided solutions to some common problems regarding coolant and heater hoses.
Heater Hose vs Coolant Hose: Quick Comparison Chart
| Basis of comparison | Heater hose | Coolant hose |
| Working process | Transfer excess to the heat core | Transfers coolant that absorbs excess heat from the engine |
| Purpose | Retain coolant and cycle back to the engine | Prevent engine overheating |
| Replacement cost | Medium | Low |
| Price | $30-$350 | $20-$450 |
Heater Hose vs Coolant Hose: Key Differences
The heater hose and coolant hose are more or less the same. But they have some minor differences.
The major differences between heater hoses and coolant hoses are:
Working process
The working process starts with the coolant hose. It includes water and coolant fluid such as Freon. The liquid mixture stays in a state where it can absorb the heat that the engine of your car produces. A part of the excess heat is released to the open air, while the rest of the heat goes to the heater core to retain the coolant.
This is where the heater hose comes into play. The heater hose transfers the excess heat to the heater core. There a fan blows the heat to send the hot air into the cabin. Then the coolant is cycled back to the engine to keep it running.
Purpose
The application of coolant hose and heater hose have different purposes. When your engine is active, it produces too much heat that can blow out the engine. The purpose of the coolant hose is to transfer out the heat so that the engine can work fine.
And the purpose of the heater hose is to provide hot air into the cabin and retain coolant that helps the coolant hose to keep the engine at a normal temperature.
Cost
The recommended period for replacing the heater hose and coolant hose is 4 to 5 years. If you believe your hoses are damaged earlier, you can replace them. However, the cost for real replacing hoses can be around 50 to 500 dollars. Heater hoses usually cost less than coolant hoses.
Type of heater hose
What is a heater hose? A heater hose is a small hose in a car that transfers the excess heat produced by the engine to the heater core in the form of coolant.
People often ask, which hose is the inlet to the heater core? The answer is a heater hose.
Following are some of the types of heater hose:
Buddy Heater Hose
The first one is a buddy heater hose. It is also called a propane heater hose in general. If you need a buddy heater hose, you can check the following item
SHINESTAR 5FT POL Propane Hose Adapter 1lb to 20lb for Coleman Stove, Buddy Heater
The Shinestar Buddy Heater Hose Propane Hose Adapter is an excellent product in this category. It is pretty durable which remains in good condition even at a high temperature. Then the brass fittings are also pretty accurate that offer easy to install and properly sealed connections.
Water Heater Hose
Then comes the water heater hose. It is mainly used in winter, at a low temperature. The following is a good option in this category:
Camco TASTEPure Heated Drinking Water Hose with Energy Saving Thermostat
The Camco Heated Drinking Water Hose is an excellent hose that can withstand temperatures as low as -20° Fahrenheit. It has a double exterior jacket that enhances its durability. In short, it’s a good water heater hose, especially for RVs.
Gates Heater Hose
Heater hoses from Gates also offer excellent performance. You can try the following item:
Gates 28412 3/4″ X50FT Safety Stripe Heater Hose
The Gates Safety Stripe Heater Hose has a temperature resistance from -40° to 257° Fahrenheit. It can transfer most coolants for the optimum performance of your engine. Overall, it is a good heater hose from Gates, especially for cars and light trucks.
Silicone Heater Hose
Silicone heater hoses are quite popular nowadays due to their excellent durability. If you also want to have a silicone heater hose, the following item may satisfy your need.
FLEXFAB 3/4″ X 5′ Blue Silicone High-Temperature Heater Hose
Flexfab Blue Silicone Heater Hose can resist temperature from -65° to 350° Fahrenheit, which is best on the list. It has a PSI rating of 300. This one is highly recommended for any car.
How to Remove Heater Hose Connector?
You can remove the heater hose connector with a disconnector tool. It releases the spring finger inside the hose, and the connector automatically slides off the pipe.
Please check the video for details about removing the heater hose connector…
How to Use Heater Hose Disconnect Tool?
To use the heater hose disconnect tool, first, expose the locking tab and then push the tool onto the tab. And then pull the hose away.
Type of Coolant Hose
Coolant hose is an integral part of the cooling system of a car. A coolant hose transfers coolant liquid that absorbs heat from the engine to prevent overheating.
When it comes to types of coolant hose, the list is narrow. The following are some of the options available:
Flexible Coolant Hose
Flexible coolant hose is very common and popular nowadays. You can change it to the shape you want as it has excellent flexibility.
Stainless Steel Radiator Flexible Coolant Water Hose Kit With Caps Universal
The Radiator Flexible Coolant Water Hose is made of stainless steel. Its manufacturer claims that it provides better durability than rubber hoses. The hose is suitable for most car engines today.
Clear Coolant Hose
Clear coolant hoses are made of glass. As glasses are easily vulnerable, the clear coolant hose also has less durability than others.
Gates Coolant Hose
Like the heater hose, gates also offer high-quality coolant hoses. The following is a good option in this category:
Gates 22554 Premium Modular Coolant Hose
Gates Premium Modular Coolant Hose uses synthetic fiber for construction. It is specially made to resist damage under a vacuum. Therefore, you can try this coolant hose for good performance.
How to Change Coolant Hose
To change a coolant hose, twist the clamp and remove the hose you want to change. And then set the new coolant hose by placing the hose clamp in the same place. Twist a little to fit the connection well.
How to Fix a Coolant Hose Leak
The best solution to coolant hose leaks is to change them. If you want to fix a coolant hose link temporarily, use insulating tape to wrap up the leakage.
Final Verdict
The comparison between heater hose vs coolant hose shows that both are essential parts of a car. You can not ignore any of them. They work together to keep the engine of your car at a normal temperature and prevent damage due to overheating.