TheSamba.com :: View topic - Who has Stainless Steel Coolant pipes in their van?

Thu Jan 21, 2010 5:51 pm

Just a question on what company your van's SS pipes came from and are/were you satisfied with your purchase?

I am looking into all options of SS pipes and just wanted some advice from those that have made the purchase and install.

Not that there is any problem with the originals' that I have but that whole once of protection thing has me wondering, should I not replace them while I have the oportunity.

Thanks in advance!

Tim

Thu Jan 21, 2010 6:01 pm

I've been looking at SS coolant pipes also. Since acquiring an 86 and seeing the hose from the t-stat to the pipe has split after the clamp. I'm leaning towards the GW pipes because they have eliminated this hose by bending one of the pipes. This hose is NLA anyhow. And the price difference is not much more compared to the other sets out there. Just my 2 cents.

http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=4407&category_id=79&category_parent_id=

Thu Jan 21, 2010 6:02 pm

my 85 had new ss pipes when i got it.they where replaced about 3-4 yrs ago.i havnt had any problems with the and the outside is still shinny new.dont know where he got them though.

Thu Jan 21, 2010 6:02 pm

I bought a set from GoWesty in the fall. They were the 2 peice version with the connecting hose. They were very easy to install. No complaints so far. I haven't noticed any difference in drivabilty but i wasn't expecting to.

Thu Jan 21, 2010 6:06 pm

I replaced mine in the truck a few years ago. I got them from Van Cafe. I noticed that my OEM pipes were on the verge of blowing up when replacing the radiator and rubber hoses so I swapped them out too. I haven't ever looked at them again as a possible weak link in the cooling system again.

Thu Jan 21, 2010 6:13 pm

binger59 wrote: I've been looking at SS coolant pipes also. Since acquiring an 86 and seeing the hose from the t-stat to the pipe has split after the clamp. I'm leaning towards the GW pipes because they have eliminated this hose by bending one of the pipes. This hose is NLA anyhow. And the price difference is not much more compared to the other sets out there. Just my 2 cents.

http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=4407&category_id=79&category_parent_id=

Your 86 looks real nice!

I think that the GW kit is probably the way I will go also, unless someone has a better solution?

Thanks everyone for the input!

Thu Jan 21, 2010 6:15 pm

syncrodoka wrote: I replaced mine in the truck a few years ago. I got them from Van Cafe. I noticed that my OEM pipes were on the verge of blowing up when replacing the radiator and rubber hoses so I swapped them out too. I haven't ever looked at them again as a possible weak link in the cooling system again.

X2 on Van-Cafe. Used the two piece. Well built and I shouldn't need to ever think about them again.

Thu Jan 21, 2010 6:23 pm

+1 for GW SS pipes. No complaints, no runs, no errors...

Thu Jan 21, 2010 6:30 pm

x3 on Van Cafe. Two years, no problems. Oh yeah - I have an EJ25 in mine and it seems to run about 6 degrees cooler than every other EJ25 conversion. I suppose the pipes could help dissipate heat better, but.....

Thu Jan 21, 2010 7:47 pm

I belive my set was from Terry K No problems it might run 2-6 deg cooler with them seems to be a very good grade of SS.

Thu Jan 21, 2010 8:16 pm

I am going to have some made up at a muffler shop where I live. They are going to be stainless and the guy is only charging me $125.00 for both thats parts and labor. I have to remove my old ones for him to bend the new ones and I am going to have him extend it. I am also having him do them in 2 sections for easier install. I am going to order the silicone coupling off ebay. So if your on a tight budget this may be a way cheaper way to go. If you order from anyone you are going to have to pay the shipping so a muffler shop may be a lot cheaper for you.

Thu Jan 21, 2010 8:41 pm

Rocky Mountain Westy.

Thu Jan 21, 2010 8:55 pm

x4 vancafe's product and were installed May of 08

Thu Jan 21, 2010 9:36 pm

This is NOT a knock on any vendor for selling the product, but I will NEVER install stainless cooling tubes on any of my vans. The answer as to why can be found here.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=218412&highlight=galvanic

Thu Jan 21, 2010 9:41 pm

I have a set from Bus Depot, I think. Been in there for about a year.
It's the two-piece style. The only complaints I have are:
1. No instructions. You have to decide which pipe goes where. This isn't too big of a problem, except that...
2. One of the pipe ends doesn't end up where you expect it to. IIRC, it was the outboard rear one. This led to a lot of head scratching and repeated test-fitting. The end sticks farther away from center than the original.
In my case, the mis-positioned end didn't matter because I'm not using an OEM hose in that spot; it may matter if you are.

Thu Jan 21, 2010 10:33 pm

I have a set in my Tristar . Easy to install and great piece of mind. When I replaced mine,one of the steel insert had bee working its way out .The previous owner somewhere in Sweden had just added a second hose clamp to fix the problem. I too used the two piece pipes and purchased them from Go Westy.
That along with a new radiator and numerous other items of the Stainless variety.

Fri Jan 22, 2010 7:08 am

I have TK pipes. Good quality, easy install.

I didnt see this posted yet, but I couldnt get the front vw hangers to fit. had to make up a set.

Fri Jan 22, 2010 8:24 am

loogy wrote: This is NOT a knock on any vendor for selling the product, but I will NEVER install stainless cooling tubes on any of my vans. The answer as to why can be found here.

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=218412&highlight=galvanic
I'd be curious to know if anyone who has been running SS pipes for a couple yrs.. have cracked open thier heads to see what corrosion might have developed.

This is a major issue in the marine environment.

In many marinas there is stray electrical current in the water in which boats rest in thier slips. The galvanic reaction is enough to destroy some expensive and structural componenst like keel bolts and mast-steps.

Adding the galvanic problems to SS's relatively lame ability to withstand vibration, I am leaning towards using long runs of properly rated 'rubber' hose

edited to add:

I guess if corrosion were an issue, one could always install a sacrificial zinc anode in each head?

Fri Jan 22, 2010 10:02 am

Anybody on the west coast sell the one piece pipes? I'd order them from TK but the shipping is rather expensive from the midwest.

Fri Jan 22, 2010 10:25 am

You can check out our coolant pipe sets online at:

http://www.rockymountainwesty.com/VanagonWaterboxerParts.htm