RB Header burnt hole in lower radiator hose

[motorollow]

When I installed my Racing Beat header I noticed there was not much space (less than 1/2 inch) between the header and the lower radiator hose. I even commented to Gabkwong at the time of install that it might be a problem. Within a couple of miles from home on Friday I noticed a faint smell of coolant. By the time I got home it was a leak (luckily the car did not overheat). I went to Town North Mazda and got an OEM replacement. The hose on the car did not appear to be OEM which may have contributed to the problem. The upper radiator hose had a sleeve on it that did not appear to be beneficial, so I put it on new lower hose in hopes of having some additional protection. Has anyone else had this problem? Has anyone come up with a good solution for insulating that lower hose? I wrapped my TDR heatshield as far down as it would go around the header the first time, but it did not help. It would be nice if the heat shield was a little longer on the side with the hose.

[bnordin]

I have the RB header on my NA and have had no problems.

[Titus]

I had that happen on mine a few months ago after about 20k miles on the hose. I used a Gates hose to replace the Mazda one, and at Gary's suggestion, I trimmed some off the heater core end of the new hose so it pulls it further away from the header.