Date: Sun, 23 Dec 2001 18:32:14 -0800
Reply-To: Alistair Bell <albell@UVIC.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Alistair Bell <albell@UVIC.CA>
Subject: Re: replacing coolant pipes under the van
In-Reply-To: <005401c18c32$e3a0bc60$cc4cded8@default>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
two summers ago replaced one of my coolant lines on my '82 with rubber hose.
I noticed a wet spot on one of the pipes when I was doing my gas tank R&R.
Not a hole as such, but a "weeping spot" (the orange coolant really shows
up!). The list has discussed pipe replacement in the past (Tim Smith et al)
and buoyed by that knowledge I bought some 1 1/4" ID coolant hose from a
local commercial supply house (appropriately rated for temp and pressure).
This is very heavy stuff, 1/4" wall thickness. Great quality US made hose.
Cost around Can$50 for one length. Logically I should have done both, but I
loved dropping the gas tank so much that I left replacing the other pipe for
a future treat.
The overall diameter is greater than the steel pipe so it is a tight squeeze
through the frame holes. But this hose ID allows you to fit it straight onto
the rad at front and to the engine hose via a nipple (no reducers etc).
I cut up the steel pipe to get it out. while the steel pipe was a bit
corroded at the ends where it connects to rubber hose, the inside was
absolutely pristine (as was the outside), not rusty or pitted. But, the
welded seam (the pipe is rolled and welded) had little spots of rust on it.
Inclusions in the weld? Sure enough, the spot where the leak was, lay on a
seam.
So while the famed german steel held up ok, the weld failed.
Alistair
> From: Myron Lind <mdlind@RICA.NET> Reply-To: Myron Lind <mdlind@RICA.NET>
> Date: Sun, 23 Dec 2001 20:24:32 -0800 To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject:
> replacing coolant pipes under the van
>
> While we are on the topic of coolant and cooling, what are the various ideas
> for replacing the coolant pipes that run under the van. I have a 1982 diesel
> and would like to replace them as I put a new motor in. I am leaning toward
> copper (didn't most radiators used to be copper?) but know that it can work
> harden. I know that Goodyear makes some sort of rubber for about $8.00 per
> foot. Any reason to change the diameter from what's under there now? Any other
> ideas?
>
> TIA Myron Lind 81 Westy 82 Diesel getting a new "mechanical TDI"
>
