I was on another forum and heard that after 91, mb started using synthetic hoses instead of rubber hoses which don't last as long. Can any of you techs or newer mb owners verify this?

Don't a lot of solvents and UV as well attack rubber? I would think that nowadays a manufacturer could probably get a synthetic hose that has much better environmental resistance and longevity for a price that is less than rubber.

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Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

Since the 1960s, manufacturers have made automotive coolant hoses using EPDM (ethylene propylene rubber) aka synthetic compounds. ECD (electrochemical degradation) was a common occurence where the hose, liquid coolant (ethylene glycol antifreeze and water), and the engine/radiator fittings form a galvanic cell which cracks the hose.


More recently co's developed an electrochemically-resistant coolant hose using a new EPDM formulation, so perhaps that's what the forum was discussing (?)