Gates branched coolant hose line covers over 200 OE part numbers. The new assortment of hoses will fit OE car, van, light truck and sport utility applications for 1987 through 2011 model years. They meet or exceed automotive manufacturer specifications.

Branched hoses consist of one or more small ID coolant hoses attached to a main hose. They are installed by the carmakers, usually as a lower hose, to reduce assembly line costs and potential leak paths.

Gates uses three methods to link the hoses. Depending on the design of the cooling system, either rubber or plastic joints, or T-connectors with Gates Power Grip® SB® clamps, are used to provide a leak-proof seal. The Power Grip SB clamp, made of thermoplastic, is shrunk with a heat gun to conform to any shape of hose end. It never needs retightening and it eliminates cold leaks.

All the premium hoses in the branched configuration are made with rubber compounds that resist electrochemical degradation. Engineers at Gates have identified this condition as the root cause of most coolant hose failures. It eventually will produce a pinhole leak or will cause the hose to burst before it has reached its expected service life.

In addition to offering more branched hose assemblies than any other hose manufacturer, Gates has priced its hoses significantly lower than other major suppliers.