Date: Mon, 19 Aug 2002 12:25:23 -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: '85 Vanagon Fix - Corroded Coolant Lines
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I would just add, unless there is a bend involved, don't bother cutting off
the old pipe. Slip the copper over the end. This is what retains the
rigidity. For that matter, it doesn't have to be copper--that's what I had
laying around.
Jay
Dustin Fitch <dfitch@MASSINSIGHT.COM>@gerry.vanagon.com> on 08/19/2002
11:46:10 AM
Please respond to Dustin Fitch <dfitch@MASSINSIGHT.COM>
Sent by: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
cc:
Subject: '85 Vanagon Fix - Corroded Coolant Lines
Hey everyone! For those of you who helped me on Friday with the coolant
problem I was having (corroded metal "send" coolant line under the
Vanagon),
thank you very very much. I ended up, per Jay Snyder, getting some 1 1/4"
copper tubing and straight coolant hose, cutting off the end of the
corroded
coolant pipe and replacing it with the copper tubing, which slid nicely
over
the coolant pipe. I then slid a cut of the new hose I bought over the
entire connection, leaving a portion of the copper tube on the other end
for
both the radiator hose and engine hose to reconnect to, and then just
buttoned it all up with hose clamps.
I did both ends of the "send" coolant pipe. Both ends were quite
rusty....seems like that send pipe likes to rust alot more than the
"return"
pipe which still looked great. The fix worked like a charm and I have to
say, it will probably last for quite some time. I will replace both pipes
eventually in their entirety, but for now, Jay's fix really is sturdy and
trustworthy. I did not have to drop the gas tank though.....I got lucky
that my pipes were just rusted on the ends (about 6" back....I cut off a
total of about 9-10" on each end all in all), which can be fixed without
removing anything else that may be in the way. The one thing you will
DEFINITELY need to do the job without a big PITA is a dremmel. You gotta
have it. You'll be there all day and night with a hacksaw blade depending
on exactly where you have to cut, especially in the front. No drill with a
cutting wheel is going to fit up in there. The dremmel was a godsend.
One other thing though about fixing those pipes.....they have bends in them
on both ends that curve them up properly toward the hose to which they
connect.....you can replace each end without bending your new copper
attachment but you have to be right on the money with the length of your
new
piece and the way the connecting hose attaches......both the radiator hose
and the engine hose this line connects to will dimple and pinch if you
don't
have your copper tubes measured and cut just right. Especially in the
front. Of course, if you can bend your new pipe ends before you put them
up
in there, that would be optimal. If you notice a theme here, the front is
more of a pain than the rear....in a few different aspects.
If you notice one end of the coolant pipe getting rusty and want to fix
it.....check the other end too...chances are high that it will be rusty
just
the same. Do both. You might as well.
Thanks again y'all for some terrific advice.....you folks really make it
easier. I love going into a job well informed like that.
Hope the little things I discovered along the way help someone else new to
this fix be prepared too.
Yours,
Dustin, '85 Vanagon Sunroofy - "Chuba"
