Date:         Tue, 22 Feb 2005 22:14:56 -0800
Reply-To:     Joel VanderKwaak <joelvanderkwaak@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Joel VanderKwaak <joelvanderkwaak@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      plastic coolant return line reroute
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Hey all,

I've spent a fair amount of time under my van recently (don't ask),
and have noticed that the plastic coolant lines are quite exposed as
they route under the crossmember to the engine. I tend to abuse my van
(Baja, California, BC), taking it where a 2wd really shouldn't go, and
am considering fabricating a shield/skid plate for that area. It
occurred to me today that the coolant return line actually routes
above the tranny to the drivers side of the engine, so, perhaps, I
could move the return line to the that side to improve clearance..

My questions of the collective wisdom are:
(1) how flexible/brittle are these plastic lines (e.g. should I be
concerned about breaking the line, either on the road or by bending
it),
(2) is there any functional reason for leaving the return line on the
passenger side of the tranny

I guess a 3rd question may be 'why fix something that ain't broken...yet'? :)

Thanks,

Joel