Date: Tue, 24 May 2005 18:57:24 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject: Re: That little s-shaped hose
In-Reply-To: <01f901c560af$093811e0$677ba8c0@MAIN>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Buy the proper hose from the dealer. It costs what it costs for a
reason. Most aftermarket hoses seem to only last a few years. The ends
of preformed hoses are designed to be clamped. Cutting a hose will leave
ends that will not last. The hose gets a lot of stress from engine
movement. Also use the proper spring clamps.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Robert Fisher
Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2005 6:22 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: That little s-shaped hose
I had a small leak from that hose- actually I was lucky it was only a
small
leak as the hose looked like hell and was soft, spongy, etc. I checked
with
my local import FLAPS and they were going to have to order it at what
seemed
to me to be an exorbitant price for a little piece of hose. I went down
to
Napa and we found a much longer piece that had the same diameter and
approximately the same curves near one end- I just trimmed it down and I
had
basically an identical hose.
I was under the van not long ago and I thought to check out the hose
while I
was there- it's going to hell again. None of the other hoses have any
noticeable issues, so I'm thinking either I have a specific problem
that's
causing trauma to that hose or there's an issue with placement or design
or
something.
I'm sure at this point that my radiator needs to be reconditioned or
replaced but it's not running particularly hot so I'm not convinced that
had
anything to do with it.
Basically at this point I'm planning on changing that hose out every
time I
do my regular coolant/system maintenance, or as needed, whichever comes
first. I'm wondering if there's something more substantial available
that
can be used instead of regular heater hose to enhance the
longevity/reliability of that piece- any thoughts?
Cya,
Robert
----- Original Message -----
From: "Warren Lail" <wlail@OU.EDU>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2005 7:16 AM
Subject: That little s-shaped hose
> When the engine blew on Billy Bones on that fateful journey from NC
about
> a year and a half ago, it was that same little s-shaped hose that was
the
> culprit. It was about 20 degrees outside and 3:00AM. I was driving
along
> and my temp light blinked, then stopped. I looked at my temp guage as
it
> dropped! I instantly pulled off the road, but it was too late. Steam
was
> rolling into the night air, and the days of my mechanical adventures
just
> beginning.
>
> Because of that experience, I changed every hose on my Vanagon when I
> installed the new engine. Those hoses can and will fail
catastrophically.
> Unfortunately I had to learn this the hard way.
>
>
> Warren Lail
> 88 Westy "Billy Bones"
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