Hose type?

[Larry & Norma]

I need to replace the short hose that connects the power steering resevoir to the pump.
It is not under pressure, can i use coolant type hose or is there a special hose for ATF?
Thanks

[w113dude]

I did mine a few months ago with the regular coolant hose, it works fine.

[clabelle05]

Hi,

You can not run oil through a water hose, it will turn to mush and leak

[Larry & Norma]

That's one for and one against

[Paul & Dolly]

Larry,

Most oils, and ATF is an "oil" will attack "water" hose material, this mnay not become evident for some time in a low pressure application, but the hose material will degrade and cause system problems.
With respect to the Power steering system, many of these operate at higher pressure than the cooling system, so there could also be a pressure element here.

There are many hydraulic hose suppliers if the OEM part is unavailable.

Paul

[stickandrudderman]

You should definately NOT use coolant hose to carry oil; it will perish very quickly.
As an illustration: one of the reasons I recommend that oil leaks are fixed as a matter of urgency is that oil contamination of the coolant hoses will accelarate their demise.

My personal trick for the infamous PAS return pipe that kinks all the time is to use silicone hose with the bend in it already.

[Larry & Norma]

OK thanks, it is oil resistant hose then.

[wwheeler]

Absolutely do not use coolant hose for any kind of oil hose. In fact, power steering fluid which is ATF is harder on hose than say motor oil. I bought P/S return hose from the Classic Center and it seemed to do much better than "parts store" hose in this application. Something about the construction of the hose that allowed it to bent without kinking. The coil spring on the outside of the hose works but doesn't look good IMHO. Silicone hose should work well. 

Might give the Classic Center hose a try.