Gates 18996 HVAC Heater Hose - Heater To Pipe-2 or Heater To Thermostat

Gates Molded Heater Hose for Tight Engine Bays

The Gates 18996 molded heater hose is an OEM-style coolant hose built for smaller, tighter engine compartments where a formed routing path matters. It is made from EPDM and is approved for coolant, water, air, and marine applications.

Compatible with select Ford Probe, Mazda 626, and Mazda MX-6 applications, this Gates Molded Heater Hose line is shaped to follow factory routing and maintain proper hose alignment in confined spaces. The Gates 18996 part number is a direct reference for buyers searching for a molded heater hose replacement with the correct inside diameter and centerline length.

Key Features

• Factory-molded, OEM-style hose construction
• EPDM material for heater and coolant service
• End 1 inside diameter: 0.62 in. (16 mm)
• End 2 inside diameter: 0.62 in. (16 mm)
• Centerline length: 24.5 in. (622 mm)
• Molded design for compact engine bay routing
• Approved for coolant, water, air, and marine applications

Product Details

The Gates Molded Heater Hose product line is built for vehicles that use formed hoses to connect heater and cooling system components. This hose follows an OEM-style molded shape, which helps it route cleanly around nearby parts in tighter engine compartments. The Gates 18996 is a molded heater hose with matching 16 mm ends and a 24.5-inch centerline length, making it a fitment-specific replacement for the listed Mazda and Ford applications.

Fits 1998-2002 Mazda 626, Heater To Thermostat. Fits 1993-1997 Ford Probe, Heater To Pipe-2. Fits 1993-1997 Mazda 626, Heater To Pipe-2. Fits 1993-1997 Mazda MX-6, Heater To Pipe-2.

This part cross-references Dayco 87800 and Four Seasons 63293 for the same application.

Common Replacement Uses

• Cracked or aged heater hose replacement
• Coolant leaks at a molded hose section
• Improper hose routing in a tight engine bay
• Softened or swollen EPDM hose material
• Service replacement for heater-to-thermostat or heater-to-pipe routing

Installation Notes and Tips

Verify the hose routing, end diameters, and centerline length against the original part before installation. Confirm the connection points on the vehicle’s heater and cooling system, especially on Mazda 626, Mazda MX-6, and Ford Probe applications where molded hose shape is critical. Inspect adjoining pipes, clamps, and fittings for wear before installing the new hose.

Quality Assurance

Gates is known for OE-style hose construction and application-specific molded cooling system parts. The 18996 molded heater hose is built to match factory-style routing requirements for the listed vehicles and service positions.