Date:         Tue, 25 Nov 2003 21:27:44 -0800
Reply-To:     developtrust <developtrust@COX.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         developtrust <developtrust@COX.NET>
Subject:      Coolant hose fatigue
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I want to know if anyone can suggest any hoses that I should replace other
than the one mentioned below (the small 2 inch hose that is about 6 inches
long and goes from the engine to the long cooling pipes.)

Driving down the freeway to San Diego California my LED light on the
temperature gauge begins to blink and the van is running hot (the fan comes
on and goes off.) When I reach my destination I call the VW dealer to ask
about it. They say to look at the coolant tank, the one where you add
coolant. It was empty so I refill it and start up the engine. My wife
notices a leak below the van so I crawl under to look see and notice that
the small 2 inch hose that goes from the engine to the long cooling pipes
has a small pin hole leak. (It is probably a 1 & 1/2 inch hose.) I wrap it
with tape and clamp it to get me home. I had to fill the coolant tank 3
times to get the LED light to stop flashing. I made an appointment with the
VW dealer to diagnose everything, replace that hose and flush the system to
put in new coolant. It was due for new coolant anyhow after about almost 2
years since the last flush and new coolant. I just do not6 feel like doing
the work myself.

I am asking advice from those who have had similar problems before. So other
than this 6 inch long two inch OD hose what other hoses should I get
replaced? Is it worth the effort and cost to replace all those expensive
hoses or just wait for them to fail one by one?

William