Gates 18778 HVAC Heater Hose - Heater To Pipe or Heater To Pipe-1

Gates Molded Heater Hose for Tight Engine Bays

The Gates Molded Heater Hose, part number 18778, is a factory-molded coolant hose built for compact engine compartments where a straight hose will not route correctly. It is made from EPDM and is approved for coolant, water, air, and marine applications.

Compatible With Ford Escort, Mercury Tracer, and Mazda Protege applications that use a molded heater hose route, this OE-style hose supports clean routing in heater-to-pipe locations. Gates 18778 is shaped to match the original path for a direct replacement on select 1990-1996 vehicles.

Key Features

• Factory-molded design for OEM-style routing
• EPDM construction for coolant, water, and air service
• Small inside diameter: 0.62 in. / 16 mm at both ends
• Centerline length: 14.8 in. / 376 mm
• Approved for marine applications
• Fits heater-to-pipe locations on select Ford, Mercury, and Mazda models

Product Details

Gates Molded Heater Hose 18778 is built for vehicles with tighter engine packaging, where accurate hose shape matters for proper routing and clearance. The molded profile helps maintain the original hose path on select Ford Escort, Mercury Tracer, and Mazda Protege applications, including heater-to-pipe positions. This part number 18778 is a practical replacement when the original molded hose has aged, cracked, or no longer holds its shape.

This part cross-references Dayco 87654 for the same application.

What It Helps Fix

• Coolant leaks from a cracked or deteriorated heater hose
• Poor hose routing in confined engine compartments
• Heat-related hose hardening or collapse
• Loss of heater circuit flow caused by damaged hose sections
• Fitment issues when a straight hose cannot follow the original path

Installation Notes and Tips

Verify end diameters, centerline length, and molded shape before installation. This hose is listed for heater-to-pipe positions on select 1990-1996 Ford Escort, 1991-1996 Mercury Tracer, and 1990-1994 Mazda Protege applications. Inspect adjoining pipes, clamps, and coolant condition before replacing the hose, and confirm the routing matches the original layout.

Quality Assurance

Gates manufactures this molded heater hose as an OE-style replacement built to match factory routing requirements for the listed applications. The EPDM material and molded construction support dependable service in coolant and heater hose use.