Unfortunately, I don't have the pressure rating for the N 20 357 1 hose.
But, I can say that the Bypass hose and my Expansion Tank to Refill Tank
Hose was 7mm Cloth Covered, leading me to believe it was the N 20 357 1 hose
(it was original, based on the original owner's history logs which
thankfully are well detailed).  It was a Southern California
"Smog/Ozone-Rich" <grin> vehicle for most of it's life before I got it.

However, acting on a hunch and upon checking a very late 1983 dated Vanagon
Parts Fiche covering 83.5-84 Wasserboxers, it shows N 900 976 01 as the hose
being used at that time for the Bypass and the Expansion/Refill Tank.
Checking my supersession database & ETKA I find this hose is now the 443 121
107 A hose mentioned in my earlier post (which the N 20 357 1 hose also
supersedes to).  Even though Continental/CRP doesn't show the Vanagon
applications in their database, ETKA does and I have updated my copy of the
Conti/CRP database accordingly.

Personally speaking, I don't think you will have a problem using the N 20
357 1 hose (mine, under two previous owners, lasted 13 years before I
replaced it in 1997 when I bought it).

Jim Thompson
84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"
oldvolkshome@earthlink.net
jim@karmannghia.com
http://www.oldvolkshome.com
***********************
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jonathan Farrugia" <jfarrugi@UMICH.EDU>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Monday, August 16, 2004 10:49 AM
Subject: Re: coolant hose number

> okay here is the data i have assembled from the postings on this matter.
> does anyone have data on the pressure ratings for the 7mm hoses list?  in
> particular i used the N 20 357 1 hose for the coolant system.  is it
> strong enough for that application or another way to put it is that what
> vw calls for on the hose that goes from the bleeder on the firewall to
> the cross over pipe?  i understand i could take it off an put N 20 281 1
> on there but if the N 20 357 has a high enough pressure rating i would
> like to leave well enough alone :).
>
> Hoses
>         Inside Dia.    Part #        / Description /
>         3.5mm      N 20 353 1   Black Vacuum Gas
>         4.5mm      N 20 361 2   Red Vacuum Diesel
>         5.0mm      N 20 355 1   Black Fuel Hose
>         7.0mm      N 20 357 1   Black Fuel Hose 7x2.5, 7mm ID,
>                    12mm OD, fuel vapor recovery hose (braided jacket)
>         7.0mm      N 20 281 1   Black Smooth Fuel Hose 7x3, 7mm ID,
>                    13mm OD, fuel injection fuel hose (smooth jacket,
>                    reinforced internally)
>         7.0mm      N 903 397 02  Black Smooth Fuel Hoes (this hose is an
>                    improved upgraded version of N 20 281 1 for use in
>                    engine compart.)
>         9.0mm      N 20 359 2   Brown Fuel Hose
>         12mm       N 20 374 1   Black Fuel Hose, Aux Air Regualtor
>         14mm       N 20 371 1   Black Fuel Hose
>         15mm       N 20 363 1   Black Fuel Hose
>         17mm       N 20 370 1   Black Fuel Hose
>
> jonathan
>
>
> On Sun, 15 Aug 2004, Jim Thompson wrote:
>
> > The N 20 357 1 (7mm Hose) mentioned below by dvwimportautoparts.com is
> > incorrect for VW models running L-Jet/Digijet/Digifant Fuel Injection
which
> > is used on Bay Window Buses, 74 412s and our beloved Vanagons (Air or
Water
> > Cooled) due to the slightly higher fuel pressure as opposed to D-Jet
Fuel
> > Injection on the Type 3 and Early Type 4.
> >
> > Volkswagen introduced a higher pressure rated 7mm hose which is better
> > reinforced and has a smooth covering, VW # N 20 281 1.  This is
generally
> > what Continental/CRP USA distributes through the major
importer/warehouses
> > these days and is far superior in strength, durability and longevity to
the
> > earlier cloth covered "357" hose.  Several years ago, VW even went
further
> > by introducing an improved hose for higher temperature use in the engine
> > compartment of the Vanagon under the part number N 900 253 19, which was
> > subsequently superseded to  N 903 397 02, which is the current offering
at
> > Volkswagen.  This latest variety isn't cheap either, as for example Bus
> > Depot sells it for $27.02 (I assume per meter [just over 3 feet] length)
and
> > I'm sure it's more $$ at Volkswagen.
> >
> > VW, even though they still list the N 20 357 1 hose in their price list,
> > upgraded (?) to part number 443 121 107 A to be used with FI systems in
the
> > Type 3 and 71-73 Type 4 engine compartments several years ago.  Note
that
> > it's a Group 121 (Water Cooled Component) part number, which is weird
> > considering most coolant hoses are not manufactured in fuel resistant
> > materials such as neoprene or buna.  This part apparently is fuel
resistant
> > or it could be a HUGE mistake on Volkswagen's listing in ETKA.  My
database
> > also shows it to be the coolant overflow hose number for Audi/Volkswagen
> > water cooled applications (strangely, the Vanagon is not listed in the
> > application database I have).
> >
> > I currently use (and have used for the past 7 years,) the N 20 281 1
hose
> > throughout the fuel system and the Bypass Hose and Coolant Expansion
Tank to
> > Refill Tank Hose mentioned by Jonathan Farrugia.  Because of heavy
useage in
> > the course of on-going mobile living in my Westy, I replace the fuel
hoses
> > in the engine compartment every two to three years.
> >
> > Jim Thompson
> > 84 Westfalia 2.1 "Ole Putt"
> > oldvolkshome@earthlink.net
> > jim@karmannghia.com
> > http://www.oldvolkshome.com
> > ***********************
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: "Don Deitke" <DVWImports@AOL.COM>
> > To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> > Sent: Sunday, August 15, 2004 6:01 PM
> > Subject: Re: coolant hose number
> >
> >
> > > Various Hose Sizes for VW Applications
> > > >From Don @ DVW Import Auto Parts
> > > www.dvwimportautoparts.com
> > >
> > > Save in your Favorites or Book Mark for Future Reference
> > >
> > > Inside Dia.    Part #        / Description /
> > > 3.5mm      N 20 353 1   Black Vacuum Gas
> > > 4.5mm      N 20 361 2   Red Vacuum Diesel
> > > 5.0mm      N 20 355 1   Black Fuel Hose
> > > 7.0mm      N 20 357 1   Black Fuel Hose
> > > 9.0mm      N 20 359 2   Brown Fuel Hose
> > > 12mm       N 20 374 1   Black Fuel Hose
> > > 14mm       N 20 371 1   Black Fuel Hose
> > > 15mm       N 20 363 1   Black Fuel Hose
> > > 17mm       N 20 370 1   Black Fuel Hose
> > >
> > > www.dvwimportautoparts.com
> >