Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2011 23:32:51 -0800
Reply-To: "M. Jade" <tinho2010@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "M. Jade" <tinho2010@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Sealant necessary for coolant hoses?
In-Reply-To: <023f01cbd3ce$45152b10$6701a8c0@PROSPERITY>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Thanks a lot for everyone's quick reply to the question. The coolant hose is original. It was never replaced despite the thermostat has been replaced twice and the hose was disconnected and reconnected many times. I noticed that the hose is not as flexible as when it was very new. But it is not hardened to a point to need replacement.
Just because it is not as flexible as before it may be the reason it needs more clamping force to keep the hose from leaking. It could be that the metal flange is rusty to cause the leak too. This is why I thought of using some sealant to cover up the metal surface of the flange. This should help reducing the clamping force needed for the hose clamp. This also helps preventing the hose from damage too.
The sealant in mind is not for gluing the hose to the flange. Using a glue is a bad idea. I will look for Permtax sealant from local parts stores. I will replace the hose clamp too. It gives me a more accurate feeling how tight it is. Never want it to be too tight.
MJ in sunny California
--- On Wed, 2/23/11, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM> wrote:
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: Sealant necessary for coolant hoses?
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Date: Wednesday, February 23, 2011, 6:55 PM
hi,
normally a sealant is not used on automotive cooling system hoses.
however....particularly on aluminum, which can corrode..
I sometimes put Permatex High Tack gasket sealer between hose and t-stat
neck.
or on other hoses too. Kinda of a corrosion preventer and sealing enhancer.
Corrsion prevention being the main reason.
not all hose clamps are equal.
I never use the american style with sharp edges. I don't like springey
original vanagons either.
I use good german ones , nice curled up edges...they don't cut into the
hose.
very much so...overtightening can cut or pinch a hose under a hose clamp ..
but type of clamp is important.,
also ....tightening hose clamps with a screw driver is never really good
practice.
Tighten them with a qtr inch drive socket and ratchet.
And check them for tightness once in a while .
Scott
www.turbovans.com
----- Original Message -----
From: "M. Jade" <tinho2010@YAHOO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, February 23, 2011 5:41 PM
Subject: Sealant necessary for coolant hoses?
I may be finding coolant leak from where the coolant hose is attached to the
thermostat housing on my 85. It should be an easy fix by tightening the
clamp. But I am afraid that if I really clamp it down it may cause coolant
hose damage over time. I probably should take it apart and clean the metal
pipe first then re-attach the hose. My question is should I put some sealant
to aid in sealing the joint to keep it from leaking? What sealant should I
use? What comes to mind is if I use a correct sealant then I won't need to
tighten the hose clamp crazy tight to keep it from leaking. Am I right that
coolant hose can be damaged from over tightening the clamp?
MJ in sunny California
