Date:         Tue, 20 May 2014 06:34:16 -0700
Reply-To:     mark drillock <mdrillock@COX.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         mark drillock <mdrillock@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: WBX Plastic Coolant Pipe Inspection
In-Reply-To:  <4CWa1o00u08X5Fr01CWcv4>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed

I agree and would say that the black plastic parts near the heads are
the larger peril. Inspect the 4 ends of the long pipes and deal with
them as needed but REPLACE the black multiple hose junction near the
right head and the black thermostat housing assembly on the left head.
In addition if your engine has the black plastic single hose piece(s) on
the right head below the alternator then get new metal ones for those.

Mark

Mike B wrote:
>    I'm sorry to have to tell you this, but, there's a lot more plastic
> parts in your cooling system than just the long pipes.
>    I've had a coolant tower on the right front head pop a factory-glued
> plug out while driving down the Mass Pike with my family headed to a day
> at Six Flags.  Ruined the whole day and almost ruined my  engine.
> Resulted in an expensive tow home.
>    A few months later that head gasket blew out (I'm assuming because of
> the near overheat).
>    So replacing hoses and long pipes is not good enough.  You've also
> got to replace those thirty-something-year-old plastic fittings, tees,
> junctions, bleed valves, housings, radiator and heater cores, etc., if
> you're looking for complete reliability and uninterrupted vacations.
>
> Mike B.
>