Date: Tue, 12 Jan 2016 18:24:02 -0800
Reply-To: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: More leaks
In-Reply-To: <BAY405-EAS109AB47775528A7E2F82719A0CB0@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Yep, the plastic barb end was in the hose and is now removed. Apparently a
previous attempt at repairing the leak used two hose clamps, one was only on
the extended steel flange, and the other was on the very end of the hose
about 1/4" over the tube, and at some point slipped off. Now I know why is
was just hanging there on the plastic tube.
I'm reluctant to drill into the tube since that creates stresses that can
lead to splitting "down the road". It looks to me that clamping a backstop
for the steel flange into the hose (the GW brass insert) will adequately
hold the flange in the tube. But if it works itself out again it would now
pull the hose off the tube. . . . Maybe I should use a screw down clamp on
the tube rather than the spring clamp?
Stuart
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Dennis Haynes
Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 2016 5:48 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: More leaks
The plastic end was molded around that metal tube and the molded part
included the barb to hold the clamped hose. For the tube to slide out part
of the pipe is missing and maybe still inside the hose, usually stuck at the
next bend. The GW kit is not a fix unless you rivet that inner sleeve in
place and then deal with the hose being deformed on the inside. The fix is
one of the replacement pipe kits. As for discoloration originally those
pipes were bright white, not yellowish brown. With care the pipes can be
replaced without dropping the tank.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Stuart MacMillan [mailto:stuartmacm@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 2016 7:41 PM
To: 'Dennis Haynes' <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>; vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: RE: More leaks
The plastic is not discolored, split, or cracked. There is only one that the
steel insert has pushed out of, and it's the one that goes into the
radiator. The GW kit does use spring clamps on the plastic tubes, but I'm
only going to replace that one for now, and save the other three for when we
do the engine conversion.
Not ready for $300 replacement pipes, not to mention dropping the gas tank
(again)!
Stuart
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Dennis Haynes
Sent: Tuesday, January 12, 2016 2:54 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: More leaks
Having to over tighten those clamps is a symptom, the pipe ends fail from
the plastic hardening and then the sleeve corroding. This is usually an
effect from a previous over heating episode. If the pipes are discolored
time to change them. If on the East Coast Bus Depot may be able to get you
the pipes sooner and often at a better price. The factory in later years
went to spring type clamps for most of the hose on plastic part connections.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Stuart MacMillan
Sent: Monday, January 11, 2016 12:34 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: More leaks
Pressure testing my son's '87 cooling system not only revealed head gasket
leaks, but a big leak at one of the plastic pipes to the radiator. I can
see that this is the problem:
http://www.gowesty.com/tech-article-details.php?id=73
It looks like the PO tightened a hose clamp so tight the plastic pipe is
deformed, but I'm thinking that judicious application of heat will soften it
and let me tap the steel sleeve back in.
Has anyone on the list had any experience installing this kit?:
http://www.gowesty.com/product-details.php?v=Vanagon
<http://www.gowesty.com/product-details.php?v=Vanagon&id=3643&type=Mechanica
l> &id=3643&type=Mechanical
It seems like it should be preventive maintenance for all '86-'91 vans.
Stuart
