Date: Sun, 13 Sep 2009 13:59:18 -0700
Reply-To: Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Robert Fisher <refisher@MCHSI.COM>
Subject: Re: Coolant hose replacement
In-Reply-To: <4AAD50A0.8020605@pottsfamily.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
I did something very similar on my '87 back when, and I recall when I
mentioned it on the list Dennis warned me that cutting the hose like that
might lead to deformation later. When I put it on it looked much like your
hose there, much to my surprise less than 5000 miles later it looked like
this:
http://picasaweb.google.com/garciasghostvw/BadHose#
Now I want to point out that I don't reef down on hose clamps much at all; I
tighten them to where they're snug with maybe at most a millimeter or so of
indent. That hose has blown up way beyond its original diameter. None of the
other hoses have done anything like that. It didn't blow out on me but I'm
assuming that was just a matter of luck and time. I'd suggest you keep a
close eye on yours and replace it with the right hose at the earliest
opportunity.
While on the subject, I recently replaced the hose that runs out from under
the A/C compressor to the bleed rail
(
http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_659_903/cooling_hose___comes_off_cyl_4
___see_description.html )
with some locally available stuff that I cobbled together. It cost me maybe
half as much to assemble one as it would have cost to order it, with the
main advantage being that I didn't have to wait, as the Vgon is our only
daily driver at the moment. I didn't have to cut the substitute hose this
time. It's held together well so far, but I'm going to keep a close eye on
it.
Cya,
Robert
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Greg Potts
Sent: Sunday, September 13, 2009 1:06 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Coolant hose replacement
Hi Volks,
I took my 87 wolfsburg out for a shakedown cruise last night; just a
short jaunt about 12 minutes down the highway from home. It ran great
for the first 8 or 9 minutes, then I happened to notice a spray of water
and stream behind me. A glance at the temp gauge said that it must be a
small leak, and I was able to get to my destination without overheating
or lighting the coolant sensor level light.
On arrival I unloaded the rear compartment and had a look inside. The
coolant line between #1 cylinder and the rad return line had ruptured,
with a small hole on the inside radius of one of the bends. Nothing I
could do about that. I let the van cool down, refilled the tanks and
nursed it home without incident. Ok, I did have to refill the tanks
about two miles from home but that was not a big deal.
This morning I pulled the hose off and found a VW part number on it. I
typed the number into Google and discovered that it's not easy to come
by. Frank Condelli's site lists it as part of the Boston Engine coolany
hose kit, for $326. Ouch! Another site lists it as "limited availability
and 6-21 days delivery. Double Ouch.
Normally I'd call Frank and discuss my options but I know he's off
camping in Quebec so I set off to my local FLAPS to see what could be
done on a Sunday. The dude behind the counter at PartsSource takes my
hose off to the back room and comes back a short time later with a
Prestone heater core hose # 84031. It's about 6" too long at one end and
1" too long at the other, but the important part is the bends in the
middle and those are near perfect. For $14 it's mine and I'm on my way.
I posted pics of the hose in question here:
http://www.pottsfamily.ca/Vanagon/VanagonCoolinghoseSubstitution/
Has anyone else documented similar subsitutions? As these parts get
older and spares get rarer this is useful info to have.
Happy Trails,
Greg Potts
1973/74/79 Westfakia "Bob the Tomato"
1987 Wolfsburg Weekender Hardtop
www.busesofthecorn.com
www.pottsfamily.ca
