Date: Tue, 1 Feb 2000 17:15:40 EST
Reply-To: VintagePkr@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Keith Olsen <VintagePkr@AOL.COM>
Subject: Coolant Pipe separates!!Gaskets Blow!!Wallet empties!!
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Hi all,
Has anyone else had the experience of their coolant pipe step down insert
actually separating from the pipe leaving the radiator hose clamped to the
insert? Well, I have!
While cruising up I-95 in CT in our 87 Wolfsburg GL all of a sudden the temp
light came on and the guage shot upwards. As quickly (and safely) as I
could, I made it into the breakdown lane and turned off the van. Upon
looking underneath I found that the insert was clamped to the radiator intake
hose just hanging there and my lovely orange phosphate free coolant had been
pumped onto the highway. (luckily it was phosphate free)
Well, my heads and gaskets were in kind of a fragile state anyway and the
accompanying overheat that went along with this pipe separation pushed them
over the edge. I was able to hose clamp the pieces back together enough to
refill the system with what extra coolant I carry and a few trips to a local
spighot (and a roadside rad bleed) It ran quite well and got me and the
family home safely and coolly. 30ish miles.
However, the next morning was quite a different story.
Upon startup it filled my driveway with mucho white smoke and gave me two
nice puddles under each head gasket. HEAD TIME! I've been lurking on this
list long enough to know that this was my turn to attack the dreaded
Waterboxer head.
I am now gathering parts to do the full job and all the other little things
I've been putting off. But I am concerned about this hose to pipe union
issue. I've never heard of this coming apart before. I am going to try and
find another one that is factory connected but I was wondering.....should
this be supplemented with a hose clamp to keep this from happening again?
Was there a clamp there to begin with? If one can't be found reasonably,
will sealant and a clamp be sufficient to rejoin the old one? Is it
unadvisable to clamp the plastic at all?
Am I paranoid?
Is this a once bitten twice shy kind of thing?
Any suggestions appreciated.
TIA
Keith Olsen
87 Wolfsburg GL
82 Vanagon L diesel
79 Loaf
85 Golf Diesel
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