A >Service department confirmed a split plastic coolant pipe; they have >a spare in stock for about $140 ... but there's 4 hours of labor to >remove-reinstall the fuel tank to replace the pipe. So I ask, should >I replace the other pipe next to it while we are at it ?
This is a long shot, but is there a plastics fabrication hop near you. Certain plastics can be welded using an ultrasonic welder. Heats/fuses the plastic with highfrequency. Why did yours crack? Physical abuse, if the crack looks like a long oval tear with sharp corners (referred to as a fishmouth fissure) then this is due to sustained high internal pressure+temp. The plastic creeps (stretches) until it ruptures. Maybe check the pressure relief cap function also. For $15K I'd expect daily driveability longterm. Maybe the pipe was a manufacturing defect (thin wall section). Lean on the dealer since he said it should last a lifetime! tim s.
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