Who is using Oetiker clamps?

[notchboy]

Im wanting to start using these on then notch and maybe the bus. Mostly on the notch. Why? I do like the clean look and for sure give a more "correct" engine bay.

In most workshop manual pics from the factory that I see, the clamps are a mix of these Oetiker clamps, screw/clasp type most of us use or no clamp at all.

I have seen lots of stainless, ratcheting type but want to stick with Zinc steel for correctness sake.

What sizes will I need and where is a good place to get them other than crap from Amazon??

I know my brother Scott uses these (pic below) but what are your experiences?

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[old_man]

I use them a lot. I still stick to fuel injection style clamps for things that I might have to take off a few times...carbs, fuel tank. That is the down side of Oetiker clamps. The other down side is that it is sometimes difficult to get a crimper in there but a screw driver would be easier.

I try to use this style in stainless. Single ear stepless.

The simple double ear ones I don't like because they can pinch the hose.

Even the single ear ones can if they aren't stepless

As for the screw on clamps I stay away from the hose clamps and go for the FI style ones. I found them much better for the hoses.

For a crimper you can use the purpose built one or in a pinch you can use side cutters if you are careful.

As for where to get them. I got them off amazon. Price was right and the quality was fine. I just made sure the style was the correct one for me. They probably all come from the same factory in China. If you have time to wait for shipping I am sure you could save some money and buy them off aliexpress but for me, the 3 weeks waiting wasn't worth the minimal amount of money I would save. It's not like I needed a 1000 of them.

[notchboy]

Good info - thanks. What size range?
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[raygreenwood]

I dont like them....for partially the same reason old_man listed.....for things that occasionally have to be removed for service......but the real reason I do not like them is the reason they are no longer used. More precisely why they were forced to quit using them and went to spring clamps pretty much around the world.

On virtually every older VW and foreign car that I have worked on.....these clamps are a spurce of vacuum leaks. On the areas where they were used for pressurized fuel.....they cause leaks with age.

The problem is....they are "un-sprung". What you crimp them down to.....is all they have. This assumes the rubber line they are crimped around....never dries out, never shrinks and never changes from heat cycling. As the hose shrinks the clamp has no acfive spring to take up the slack.....so they get loose and leak. The problems with these clamps are worse in hot climates. Ray

[t3kg]

I think VW started using them later in the '60s. I don't remember ever seeing them in the early workshop manuals, but the low-mile '65 Squareback I used to have had them on the fuel lines. Factory remanufactured engines usually have them.

I agree that they're not as convenient as some other types of clamps but I like them a lot better than standard worm-drive hose clamps. If the concern is that they don't keep a tight seal as the hose gets old and shrinks, it's probably time to replace the hose.

I got a bag of clamps and an Oetiker crimper from McMaster Carr.
https://www.mcmaster.com/oetiker
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[Absoluteyeti]

I used the Smooth screw style listed. As far as the comment about them not springing with the lines expansion and contraction, If it leaks I replace it. No reason to cheap out on these lines with them being readily available now days.

[raygreenwood]

[Absoluteyeti]

[notchboy]

Personal preference aside, I do appreciate the feedback on their history. I get it for sure. I am kinda partial to those spring ones as well but cant seem to find the right size for a lot of stuff. They are either too small or too big??
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[SGKent]

There are several threads here on the Oetiker clamps. I wanted to order some more this morning but my brain was farting understanding them. I answered my own questions before finishing this post, and thought I would share the conclusions in case someone else has the same brain fart.

A 5/16 ID Gates Barricade hose is 9/16 OD. That is an ID of 8mm+/- and an OD of 14.287 MM. The Oetiker clamps I have read 15.5 on them so I am guessing those are 15.5 mm. There is also a 14.5 listed. These are the stainless high pressure clamps that don't come apart. I was wondering why 15.5 is the better size than 14.5 then I realized the hose is larger by a small amount when it slides over the barb it is being fitted to. Also the 15.5 lists that it is for an uncrimped inner diameter of 14.4 mm, and that it crimps down to 12 mm. OETIKER # 15400036 Manufacturer's Published Crimping Range: 12.8mm to 14.8mm

https://www.belmetric.com/stainless-clamps-c-15_142_1238/chp155-high-pressure-p-972.html
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"Most people don't know what they're doing, and a lot of them are really good at it." - George Carlin

[House]

If you are familiar with Belmetric you should try getting some of the metric Flennor hose and sway away from the fractional sized Gates.

[Tram]

[gregson1]

I use them (a larger version) on the irrigation lines in my yard and they stay tight. Too tight, sometimes.

I'm going to use them on my car, along with the German fuel line. I plan to change fuel lines once every couple of years, so after the first change I may decide it's too painful and move to the screw on clamps. We'll see.

[HenrikL]

When you talk about "german fuel line" - what brands are that?

Over here in Sweden we have had a lot of problem with bad fuel lines on old cars. Mixing 5% (soon 10%) ethanol in the fuel is said to be the problem.

The recommendation is to use Gates, which seems to be the best fuel lines now. Gates is sold in 6 mm and 8 mm ID over here in Europe.

[Bobnotch]

[Erik G]

Flennor brand
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[EasternNotch]

[gregson1]

Made in Germany Continental hose. As I said, I plan to replace it at least every 2 years. All things considered, it's cheap insurance to help prevent a fuel fire. Safety wire is another good idea for prevention and the Oetiker clamps have a nice little place to loop a wire through before clamping.

I also plan to run fire suppression in case things still go awry.