Date: Fri, 25 Aug 2000 01:47:53 -0400
Reply-To: The Bus Depot <ron@netcarrier.com>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: The Bus Depot <ron@netcarrier.com>
Subject: Re: Coolant Hoses
In-Reply-To: <006201c00e27$b59491a0$6fa2e0d8@wd1000086onem>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
> My question is that since I doubt that most of the Vanagons have had all
> their hoses replaced ever, is there certain hoses that tend to fail more
> than others in the system?
Their has not been a trend that I have seen (based on sales) toward just one
or two particular hoses failing, although the ones to the front heater core
seem to be the least commonly requested ones. I made the mistake of
replacing only those hoses that looked "suspect" when my new engine went in
last year, and the result was a coolant hose failure that cost me $$$$$$$ in
consequential damage (horror story in the archives). I have since replaced
all of my hoses except for the aforementioned front heater core hoses. I
just don't want to be stuck on the side of the road at midnight again with
my wife and 2-year-old in the van. It's a relatively expensive (but not
exhorbitant) proposition to replace everything, but I have now learned the
hard way how expensive it can be _not_ to do so. Remember, these vans (and
their hoses) are 10-20 years old, and rubber with hot water running through
it does not last forever.
By the way, I do have very competitive prices on complete coolant hose kits.
They are on the website, and in my catalog. I am able to achieve cost
savings by importing some of the hoses directly from Volkswagen/Germany,
rather than sourcing the "dealer only" ones from VW/America, hence the lower
prices. (Although still admittedly too much for a bunch of hoses. Not my
fault, I buy them as cheap as I can, but stick with only OEM hoses for
reliability's sake.) While I do try to keep one of each kit in stock at all
times, I do not always succeed (particularly on diesel hose kits). Delivery
time can range from right away to a 2-3 weeks, but if you're doing it as a
preventative measure the delay may not be too much of a problem. If you need
just one particular hose in an emergency there is a good chance that I will
have it in stock; I would pull it out of one of the kits and then replace it
later.
- Ron Salmon
The Bus Depot, Inc.
http://www.busdepot.com
(215) 234-VWVW
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