Date:         Sun, 9 Sep 2001 23:04:01 EDT
Reply-To:     VW85Westy@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Peter Krogh <VW85Westy@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Cooling System R&R questions
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Hello List,
I am still fighting a cooling system/possible exhaust gas problem with my
rebuild, and have decided to replace most of the cooling system parts before
further diagnoses.  A few Questions:

1.  I only found one place listing heater hoses, and that was really
expensive.  I went to FLAPS and they said that thier manufacturer's guide
listed 5/8 unreinforced hose as the thing to use, at $.98/ft.  Is this okay
to use?  Should this be reinforced hose?

2.  I would like to replace the metal pipes that run from the engine
compartment to the spare tire area, but Bus Depot says they are unavailable.
Anybody else selling these (I will call Ken Wilfy tomorrow, but looking for
other sources as he charges $300 for the set).  Can I use Plastic?  Can I
fabricate from something else?

3.  Do I need to drop the gas tank to replace these pipes?  Is this a
reasonable Jackstand job?  Is there a kit to R&R the fuel hoses while I have
the tank down (if I have the tank down)?

 4.  Can I get the Radiator out reasonably easy?  Bently is very taciturn on
just what is involved (Zippy does have A/C).

5.  I have new coolant (3 months, 5,000 miles) and I was going to re-use it.
I was assuming that I would undo a hose somewhere and put it into plastic
jugs until I have the hoses/radiator replaced.  Any concerns here?  Which
hose would be preferred for drainage?

I'm sure I'll have more questions, but any answers to the above will get me
closer to a completed job.

Peter & Zippy