Date:         Sat, 7 Mar 2009 11:10:35 -0800
Reply-To:     Roland <syncronicity1@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Roland <syncronicity1@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Heater Hoses
In-Reply-To:  <49B21334.4060306@qadas.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Hi Jon,

I am sure others would confirm that you probably should take steps to
isloate the leak, like pressure testing for example.

About 3 months ago I was driving along on the freeway and the overtemp
buzzer went off, and the temp gauge was glued to the top.  Of course
immediately pulled off, let it cool down, and added water to see if I could
understand more about the problem.  It came out as fast as I put it in.

The problem was the plastic distribution unit, it had a large hole in it,
like a whole section of the thing just blew off somehow.  I replaced it with
the GoWesty stainless steel version, costs about $10 more than the stock
plastic part and well worth it.  So you might want to consider this if you
are disconecting things in this area.  The GoWesty part description suggests
that the distribution unit is a failure prone part.

Here it is:  http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=4328

Pretty straight forward to replace, had to remove the air box, and then just
some clamps from both below and from inside the engine compartment.

Roland
'89 Syncro

On Fri, Mar 6, 2009 at 10:24 PM, Jon Kanas <kanas@qadas.com> wrote:

> Hello Listers,
>
> Vehicle:  1987 Syncro, 121K Mi.
>
> Weather's nice, so it's time to get the Syncro out and prepare for some
> fun.  That being said, I've a coolant leak.  There is a wet coolant on
> the heater hose at the rear, immediately over the RR axle.  The leak is
> either at the very end of the hose where it couples to the "Distribution
> Unit" (See Bentley, page 19.11, diagram 19-427).  It is not readily
> apparent which component is leaking.
>
> Question 1: Is the "Distribution Unit" sufficiently trouble prone to
> justify more extensive diagnostics, or would one proceed on the
> assumption that the hose is at fault.
>
> Question 2:  The heater hoses feel soft, and have never been replaced.
> What is the list's collective list experience with the lifetime of
> Vanagon heater hoses.
>
> Question 3:  I am thinking about replacing all of the heater hoses.  I'd
> appreciate recommendations for "kits" from any of the list vendors which
> are complete, with good quality components.  I reviewed the archives,
> and understand that there are some nuances to the heater hose sizes that
> encourage me to want to purchase a complete kit, if possible.
>
> Question 4:  A couple of years ago, I had a leak from one of the
> itty-bitty coolant hoses at the oil cooler.  I've replaced both of
> these.  Given that one of these failed, and now the heater hose(s) are
> suspect, should I be thinking about replacing the big coolant hoses
> too?  They are not nearly as soft as the heater hose(s), but pretty
> pliable.
>
>
> --
>
> *Best Regards,
> Jon B Kanas
> Home: 303-678-0658
> Mobile: 303-746-1785
> Email: kanas@qadas.com <mailto:kanas@qadas.com>
> Website: http://www.qadas.com/~kanas <http://www.qadas.com/%7Ekanas> <
> http://www.qadas.com/%7Ekanas>
> *
>