Date:         Wed, 10 Mar 2004 10:32:43 -0500
Reply-To:     Tracey Estevez <boatshop@INTERCOM.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tracey Estevez <boatshop@INTERCOM.NET>
Subject:      Re: coolant hoses (Cost, it the only issue)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

After first purchasing our 85 Westy and replacing the head gasket and brakes
we figured that, over the summer, we would get around to picking thru the
van and replacing old worn parts. The very first thing to happen was a
coolant hose bursting. Fortunately it happened just down the road from our
house. I called around and found that particular hose to be very expensive,
and the cumulative knowledge of the Vanagon list suggested replacing them
all at once. Good idea, but we were strapped for cash. So thanks to that
emergency fiberglass coolant hose repair wrap, we were underway again.
Despite buying an entire coolant hose set from another listee (that is
stashed in the van), that temporary repair is still in place today. You can
bet that replacing those hoses is the first thing I do this summer.

Carrying that emergency fiberglass hose wrap in the van should be an
essential. It cures using only water in 20 minutes and you will need to have
strong rubber gloves to apply it. In the end it looks exactly like a cast.
It can be found in marine parts stores like West Marine.

-Tracey E