Review on Gates 28081 Pre Heat Duct Hose by Ryan Brady

Let me start by saying that I used it for a different purpose than it was intended - that is - I would still give it 3 stars. I used this for a 2kw diesel engine heater from China. The heater inlet and outlet are 60mm in diameter and are supplied with similar (but not exactly the same) ducting material as in this part. Constructed from lighter aluminum, this product is a compressed spool that can be greatly expanded to fit your measurements. Expression. It's a spiral, so the diameter doesn't really change, just the length. Of the two I ordered (same brand as part number) one is noticeably weaker and deforms slightly after being stretched to length. Will it work? Yes, but I was really hoping for more stiffness. The packaging was ok - nothing was deformed when opened. For the same price (and a much longer wait) I could have ordered the Chinese part and gotten a better product. It's a shame because I expected a little better quality from a company like Gates. I have been buying their rubber belts and hoses for years and am always happy with them. If I were replacing a radiator air duct on a car or truck I would be VERY tempted to buy a Chinese heater air duct.