Date: Thu, 9 May 2024 21:20:11 -0400
Reply-To: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Coolant hose blues, best replacement kit?
In-Reply-To: <CC44DC02-C0BC-474E-963A-1F5C8C6F13D7@markmcculley.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Hi Mark,
Good questions, I have a GW 2.3 from about 2010. They used all the 1.9 accessories as far as I know. I believe the engine is built on a 2.1 block.
I’ll plan to consult with Ken from Vanagain. He has already glued me in that as I have the original metal pipes I’ll need some adaptors.
I hope to get all figured out so that I either have all parts needed on hand for myself, or if I get lucky and have friend support. It is such a drag when doing a project and suddenly all stops for a missing crush washer, or correct size clamp or o ring. Ask me how I know.
So, I hope to have a complete kit and some spare parts like hose clamps, just in case.
Eric Caron
> On May 9, 2024, at 1:43 PM, Mark McCulley <mark@MARKMCCULLEY.COM> wrote:
>
> What exactly is a “1.9 setup on a 2.3 GoWesty”? Is the 2.3 built on a 2.1 block? With oil cooler? If so you may need a mix of 1.9 and 2.1 hoses. Or maybe it’s just the 2.3 cylinders on a 1.9 block. Could be more complicated than just the standard 1.9 hose kit.
>
> -Mark
>
>> On May 9, 2024, at 10:24 AM, kenneth wilford (Van-Again) <kenwilfy@comcast.net> wrote:
>>
>> We do have the 1.9l coolant hose kits. Ours are all rubber which will last
>> over 20 years normally.
>>
>> Ken
>>
>>> On Thu, May 9, 2024, 12:40 PM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
>>>
>>> Thanks Dave,
>>>
>>> I didn’t know metal was original to the 84. They don’t seem rusty as they
>>> came from a southern climate. The bus is clean of rust. But can’t see the
>>> inside. Still, maybe just hoses might be in order.
>>>
>>> Friend found that only VC has a kit for the 1.9 but only the more
>>> expensive one is in stock.
>>>
>>> I’m asking a friend to check Vanagain for me as I find the site a little
>>> difficult with my screen reader. Fingers crossed Ken has a kit. I”m
>>> leaning toward rubber hoses or a mix.
>>>
>>> All tips and info wanted.
>>>
>>> I’m told the heater hoses are a stock size but I’d rather git it from a
>>> vender with correct length and clamps if possible along with the rest.
>>>
>>> Eric
>>>
>>>
>>>>> On May 8, 2024, at 12:51 PM, ddbjorkman@verizon.net wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Hi Eric.
>>>>
>>>> If an 84, those pipes may be original. Plastic pipes came later. If
>>> pipes are rusty, it's a good chance they are original. The best change is
>>> to the stainless-steel pipes. The plastic ones are cheaper, but the ends
>>> the hoses attach to can fail with age and your hoses will disconnect. As
>>> far as hoses, many feel the silicon ones are best to use as replacements.
>>> If I remember you have had some experience with these and know the good and
>>> bad of them.
>>>> Just which vendor to use to supply the kit is a mystery to me. Bus
>>> Depot and VanAgain are close, so shipping is quick and inexpensive, but I
>>> have never bought coolant stuff from them.. Let's see what others think.
>>>>
>>>> Dave B.
>>>> the Boston one
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at 10:38:43 AM EDT, Eric Caron <
>>> ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Hi Listers,
>>>>
>>>> On a short trip from home billows of steam came out the back of
>>> my 84. We quickly pulled into a safe pull off.
>>>>
>>>> I found fluid on the ground, and an empty coolant reservoir and
>>> overflow tank. More drips by the rear passenger wheel, and a dissipating
>>> steam cloud.
>>>>
>>>> I called my local vanagon shop and asked if I could drop it off. I
>>> wanted to call as they are so busy that there is rarely a spot in the
>>> parking lot for another van.
>>>>
>>>> Not only did the office manager say yes but she offered to come
>>> help. I said know I would have them fix it. I was tempted to try to do a
>>> road side repair but my wife was not interested.
>>>>
>>>> Not long later our friend arrived to rescue us, and as we waited
>>> for the toe my Vanagon mechanic and wife showed up. They wanted to be sure
>>> we were ok.
>>>>
>>>> Next day the van was put back together. A original heater hose
>>> had split. He replaced that section and suggested I do a full replacement
>>> in the near future.
>>>>
>>>> So, What kit for hose replacements are recommended by folks in this
>>> group?
>>>>
>>>> This is a 1.9 set up on my GW 2.3.
>>>>
>>>> Pipes are metal not plastic so wondering if those are original and need
>>> replacing, or if originals were plastic.
>>>>
>>>> If needing pipes again what are folks recommending?
>>>>
>>>> My radiator and the two hoses coming off it are new last year. So need
>>> all other hoses to engine. And, likely pipes unless someone did those.
>>> I’m not sure how to check.
>>>>
>>>> For me to do the job this winter I’d need a full kit with clamps and
>>> such and a little help from this list.
>>>>
>>>> Engine Compartment hoses look very good, and a few, like those on the H
>>> pipe I did replace. So need hoses from engine to the two hoses coming off
>>> the radiator, and pipes. And other hoses I may not know about!
>>>>
>>>> As I’m doing the job in the winter I expect I’ll opt to also install an
>>> updated metal reservoir. So, recommendations on that appreciated.
>>>>
>>>> But, most important now, is to find a complete kit to improve the
>>> coolant hose and pipe reliability.
>>>> I don’t know what I don’t know, so please share your recommendations and
>>> experiences.
>>>>
>>>> VW should be ashamed the original hose only lasted 40 years and 250,000
>>> miles.
>>>>
>>>> Eric Caron
>>>> 84 1.9 set up.
>>>
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