Gates 18831 HVAC Heater Hose - Heater To Intake Manifold or Pipe-2 To Thermostat

Gates 18831 Molded Heater Hose Overview

The Gates 18831 molded heater hose is an OEM-style coolant hose built for tight engine compartments where a formed routing path matters. It is made from EPDM and uses a factory-molded shape to support clean fitment in heater and coolant circuits on select Ford Taurus, Mercury Sable, and other listed applications.

Gates Molded Heater Hose products are built around factory-style routing and small inside diameter hose construction. This line is suited for coolant, water, and air service, and this part is also approved for marine applications.

Key Features

• EPDM construction for heater and coolant hose service
• Factory-molded design for tighter engine bay routing
• End 1 inside diameter: 0.62 in. (16 mm)
• End 2 inside diameter: 0.62 in. (16 mm)
• Centerline length: 16.6 in. (422 mm)
• OEM-style molded hose shape for direct routing alignment
• Suitable for coolant, water, and air applications
• Approved for marine applications

Detailed Description

Gates 18831 is a molded HVAC heater hose designed for vehicles that require a formed coolant hose with a small inside diameter and a precise centerline length. The molded profile helps match the original hose path in compact engine compartments, including applications such as Fits 2000-2002 Ford Taurus, Pipe-2 To Thermostat and Fits 2002 Mercury Sable, Pipe-2 To Thermostat. It also appears in heater-to-intake-manifold applications on select Buick, Oldsmobile, and Pontiac models.

This part cross-references Four Seasons 63127 for the same application. If you are replacing a worn or leaking molded heater hose, Gates 18831 provides the correct formed shape for routing through crowded engine bays while maintaining the specified hose dimensions.

Common Problems This Hose Can Address

• Coolant seepage from a cracked or aged heater hose
• Improper hose routing after a previous repair
• Softening, swelling, or collapse in an old EPDM hose
• Heat-related deterioration near the thermostat or intake manifold
• Fitment issues caused by using a straight hose where a molded hose is required

Installation Notes and Tips

• Verify the hose path against the original routing before installation.
• Confirm both end diameters and the 16.6 in. centerline length match the vehicle application.
• Inspect adjoining pipes, clamps, and thermostat connections for wear before installing the new hose.
• Use the molded shape to maintain clearance in tight engine compartments.
• For applications noted as protective sleeve required, retain the proper sleeve during service.

Quality Assurance

Gates Molded Heater Hose parts are built to OEM-style specifications for formed routing and application-specific fitment. Gates 18831 is engineered for coolant, water, air, and marine service where a molded EPDM hose is required.