Date: Fri, 12 Apr 2002 09:30:19 -0400
Reply-To: Jay L Snyder <Jay.L.Snyder@USA.DUPONT.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jay L Snyder <Jay.L.Snyder@USA.DUPONT.COM>
Subject: Re: Replacing long coolant pipes on 84 , alternative fixes?
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I recently bought (two-weeks ago) a set of the metal pipes from my local
dealer. They were $175 each. He was able to get them in two days. I
ended up repairing the end of the one pipe that was bad. The new pipes
are in the attic for now. The gas tank will have to be dropped to remove
the old ones and install the new. I figured the gas tank will come out
some day, and by then the metal pipes won't be available, so I kept them.
(All the new hoses I put on were for the steel pipes.)
I repaired the end of the one pipe by cutting off about 3". It was rusted
through were it was clamped to the firewall. The rest of the pipes were in
great shape. After cutting off the bad end, I slipped a piece of 1-1/4"
copper tubing over the steel pipe. This made a nice rigid connection.
Then I took a piece of radiator hose and slide it over the whole joint,
clamping onto the new copper and onto a good section of the old pipe.
Seems pretty solid so far. When the tank comes down, the new pipes will
go in. The dealer normally charges 20% on special order returns, which in
this case would have been $70! The dealer was selling the plastic pipes
for the same price. If you want to replace yours, you should probably go
with the plastic, as it appears the 4 hoses that are different are cheaper
and may around longer in the future.
Jay w/135 miles on
Boston Bob 1.9l
"Samuel L. Walters" <slwalters@EARTHLINK.NET>@gerry.vanagon.com> on
04/11/2002 11:13:55 PM
Please respond to "Samuel L. Walters" <slwalters@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sent by: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
cc:
Subject: Replacing long coolant pipes on 84 , alternative fixes?
Volks,
The long steel coolant pipes on my 84 are very rusty and look like they
could go anytime. They are seeping some coolant. I realized how bad
they were when I was up under there replacing the clutch and throw out
bearing, and fixing a CV joint.
The van has seen better days - got quite a few dents from the fender
benders of 14 years of city driving. Engine is pretty good with a minor
head gasket leak, but runs well. In short, I couldn't sell it for very
much and spending too much on it is not practical.
I have been told that the steel pipes are not available anymore, plus
they are quite expensive ($140 or so apiece). Plastic ones like were
found on some 85's are also expensive and would require some new hoses,
so the whole job would cost about $350 or more DIY.
But I have the long plastic pipes from an 87 plus the two hoses that
connect the pipes to the radiator. I know that these pipes don't get
all the way back to the firewall (about 1 and 3 feet short). So has
anyone ever put together a "patch" to use these 87 2.1 types plastic
pipes with a 1.9l WBX engine?
I would love to fix it using the parts that I have and thereby minimize
costs. Past experiences would be valuable help in deciding what course
to take.
Sam Walters
Baltimore
84 Vanagon, original owner
89 Syncro GL