Replacing Coolant Hoses on 87 Vanagon GL

[RickPDX]

Hey all,

I've traced my Vanagon's coolant leak to the hose that connects the coolant hose junction to the engine. It's spraying coolant like a squirt gun, so it definitely needs to go.

Should I just replace all the coolant hoses with the GoWesty kit:
http://www.gowesty.com/product/hoses/23604/2-1-cooling-hose-kit-?v=
or am I ok just replacing that little pipe?

I'm assuming I'm going to have to drain the coolant system either way and if that one's bad, the other ones may be soon to go, right?

Also, does anyone have experience with the GoWesty kit? Any tips on quality of kit or install process?

Thanks!

[0to60in6min]

this whole coolant hoses kit is for when you pull out the engine for repair or rebuild.. it's easier to do that way.

but you can do it with the engine in, one by one. To minimize the coolant loss, I'd use some sort of clamp to block off the coolant flow... you will sure lose some coolant but not a lot if you use clamps.

[RickPDX]

[0to60in6min]

Rick,

do you mean the twin long hard plastic tubes/hoses running from the rear to the front?

those are OK if no leak at the connectors... usually the connecting ends went bad, if so then you have to replace them... stainless steel is best....

[RickPDX]

[BulliBill]

I'm about to go thru the same process, but not because I have any leaks. But most of my hoses including the long front to back plastic lines are at least 33 years old and are the originals from the factory. This '87 Westy Camper GL has only 70,000 original miles.

I decided to order every coolant hose on the vehicle from GoWesty , and at the same time I'm going to remove the factory auto trans fluid cooler and install GoWesty's cooler, and drop the tank and do the vent tube and seal replacement all at the same time. Luckily I'll have the help of a great friend who is a recently retired VW dealership mechanic, so I'll have great help, and I'll be paying him for his assistance (whether he wants it or not!). Does anyone have any good tips or warnings that you can share? I ordered their stainless steel coolant line kit, radiator hose kit, all engine compartment coolant hose kit, the fuel tank vent re-seal kit.

I'm probably going to need to order a clamp pliers and maybe a spare thermostat with "O" ring and maybe a few other items. I like the idea of having all coolant hoses being brand new for another 20-30 years...

Concerning that entire engine compartment hose kit, no new clamps are provided. Is that because hopefully the original squeeze clamps are okay to re-use?

Thanks for any advice and tips?

Bill Bowman



Rest in peace Darrell Boehler
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Thanks for any help!

[hardway]

The hot coolant leaving the engine through goes right to the plastic coolant distribution tower. Prophylactic replacement would be prudent. The originals were made by Blau. They last a long time but you should not expect over 20 years of reliable service from them.

The original spring clamps are the best technical solution for the original type of hoses. People do not like them because they can be difficult to deal with. Silicone hoses might require something else.

[GreenG]

[davideric9]

Might as well replace the expansion tank and the low level sender at the same time. The tank will crack and leak sooner or later. I've see a few distribution towers fail. A stainless steel version is available.

How about the radiator and the fan sensor?
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1987 Syncro Westfalia, stock (bought 1994)
1986 Syncro Westfalia SVX, 3 knob (bought 2008)
1987 Westfalia (bought 2010)
1988 Wolfsburg GL (bought 2012)

[16CVs]

I'd replace the one piece and keep on going. I don't think the new hoses will have the life that the OE ones do. I'd replace any plastic in the system but I think a full hose replacement is not money well spent.

Stacy
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