Date:         Sat, 23 May 2009 22:32:50 -0700
Reply-To:     Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject:      Re: Coolant hoses most likely to fail?
Comments: To: kayakjr@comcast.net
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

Those sensors aren't expensive.
you also need to modify your current wiring to match the new sensors .......not a big deal........but you would need the right connector for the ECU temp sensor .......the connector that's on  a 1.9 waterboxer engine wiring harness.  But other common two contact connectors would work too - a fuel injector connector might work even.
The metal syncro t-stat housing uses the plastic cover. 
I run a syncro metal t-stat housing on my 85 Weekender with 2.1 engine and fuel injection and cooling system. 
Funny that when making the syncro more heavy duty and more off-raody than 2WD vanagons ...............that they felt they had to make a whole new cast aluminum t-stat housing.  They must have thought the plastic housings were too weak for a syncro and rougher conditions.
Scott
www.turbovans.com 
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: kayakjr@comcast.net 
  To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans 
  Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 
  Sent: Saturday, May 23, 2009 8:45 PM
  Subject: Re: Coolant hoses most likely to fail?


  Scott,


  Thanks for the reply.  The "water distributor" was replaced a few years ago - so I am all set on that.  On the Thermostat housing, I have a rusty Syncro engine that I was going to take the metal T-Stat housing off of.   But, as I learned (thanks Ken) I would need new sensors.  I just replaced the sensors on the plastic housing last year - ughh.  The other problem is getting it off this rusty motor - looks like breaking the bolts is likely.   I did spray them good with PB Blaster today.  Maybe with heat I can get them to go.  


  As much I would hate to buy new sensors, at least I would have a metal housing.  I believe the top is still plastic though - would it be a good idea to change that at the same time? 


  PS - I have a metal 90 deg pipe under the alternator, but I can see the nearby fitting with the small hose on the Syncro motor.  I'll check out this piece on my van. 


  Thanks everyone for your input! 
  John


  --SNIP--- you might appreciate knowing that the plastic parts fail too, not just 
  hoses. Top on that list is the thermostat housing....
  In addition to that plastic part ........rSNIP .. there is black 
  plastic 'water distributor' with about 5 hose connections on it.
  those defenitely get brittle and crumble, SNIP
  the ends of the plastic main coolant pipes get out of position, and often 
  leak, before any hoses fail ......in my experience.
  so check those  , both ends of both main coolant pipes.  SNIP
  a few early 2.1 engines have a plastic nipple with a small hose on it, right 
  below the alternator - on the right head. SNIP 
  Rear heater cores love to slowly leak - most by now have been either 
  disconnected or replaced.  Scott