cleaning vacuum hoses/grommets
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,276
Likes: 337
From: "ɹǝpunuʍop", Adelaide, South Australia
cleaning vacuum hoses/grommets
silly question time...
most of the firewall grommets will be replaced during the clean up of the 72's engine bay
except the heater control vacuum hose grommet, sits along side the ac harness grommet, which is actually molded to the hoses when it's made.
and it has a larger firewall hole size than the others, so it will need to be reused.
so, what is best to use to clean off the bitumen/tar sealant gunk from the hoses?
have been using mineral turps on the firewall, but will that be safe for the old rubber of the grommet and hose
most of the firewall grommets will be replaced during the clean up of the 72's engine bay
except the heater control vacuum hose grommet, sits along side the ac harness grommet, which is actually molded to the hoses when it's made.
and it has a larger firewall hole size than the others, so it will need to be reused.
so, what is best to use to clean off the bitumen/tar sealant gunk from the hoses?
have been using mineral turps on the firewall, but will that be safe for the old rubber of the grommet and hose
2026 Loser of the Year
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 36,603
Likes: 7,049
From: New Or-leens Loo-z-anna
Rookie answer: I would think that any original grommet needs to have some type of rubber conditioner/restorer rubbed into it to put some flexibility/"oil" back into the material.....(I don't have any product names, sorry)
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 299
From: Midlothian VA
ahhh...you mean this vac hose grommet?
1968-1982 Corvette vacuum hose firewall grommet - fits into firewall and headlight vacuum hoses are routed through the rubber grommet. Often times a butyl sealer is used in addition to seal the grommets and hoses into the firewall to prevent air leaks into passenger compartment.
Difficulty with this grommet is the hoses are passed through it so while it may appear to be a "molded" unit it's not. Pulling the lines and wiping them down with some watery dish soap will help the install.
1968-1982 Corvette vacuum hose firewall grommet - fits into firewall and headlight vacuum hoses are routed through the rubber grommet. Often times a butyl sealer is used in addition to seal the grommets and hoses into the firewall to prevent air leaks into passenger compartment.
Difficulty with this grommet is the hoses are passed through it so while it may appear to be a "molded" unit it's not. Pulling the lines and wiping them down with some watery dish soap will help the install.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Use lacquer thinner on a clean cloth to wipe down vacuum hoses, electrical wire insulation, and other rubber/plastic parts in the engine bay. When clean, use another clean cloth to wipe on a coating (or two) of Nu-Vinyl or other polymer protectant (like Meguiar's for plastics). It will put a clear gloss coating on the surface of whatever it is wiped on. It dries completely, will not peel or chip. I use it for my interior and tires, as well. Greatest stuff ever made.
If you can't find Nu-Vinyl in auto parts stores, you can 'special' order it from Tru-Value or Ace Hardware stores. Or you can buy over the internet.
If you can't find Nu-Vinyl in auto parts stores, you can 'special' order it from Tru-Value or Ace Hardware stores. Or you can buy over the internet.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 766
Likes: 97
From: Lake Norman, NC
Use lacquer thinner on a clean cloth to wipe down vacuum hoses, electrical wire insulation, and other rubber/plastic parts in the engine bay. When clean, use another clean cloth to wipe on a coating (or two) of Nu-Vinyl or other polymer protectant (like Meguiar's for plastics). It will put a clear gloss coating on the surface of whatever it is wiped on. It dries completely, will not peel or chip. I use it for my interior and tires, as well. Greatest stuff ever made.
If you can't find Nu-Vinyl in auto parts stores, you can 'special' order it from Tru-Value or Ace Hardware stores. Or you can buy over the internet.
If you can't find Nu-Vinyl in auto parts stores, you can 'special' order it from Tru-Value or Ace Hardware stores. Or you can buy over the internet.
While I would agree that lacquer thinner will quickly clean hoses and grommets, I offer a strong word of caution. Be aware that lacquer thinner will instantly remove ALL identifying printed or painted stripes, part numbers, etc from hoses and other rubber parts too. Vacuum hoses have colored stripes to identify their application.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,276
Likes: 337
From: "ɹǝpunuʍop", Adelaide, South Australia
ahhh...you mean this vac hose grommet?
the only site that i have seen them on is the dr's., and they dont have any stock.
from reading they are molded on the hose as the assy is made.
will just try and clean best i can.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,095
Likes: 299
From: Midlothian VA
Is that the one that runs below and just to the passenger side of the wiper motor?
