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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?
Comments: To: "Samuel L. Walters" <slwalters@EARTHLINK.NET>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

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


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