Who has Stainless Steel Coolant pipes in their van?

[BlackDogVan]

Whats the consensus on 1 piece VS. the 2 part SS options? Reading through this spiderweb of linked threads (and ignoring all the TK fear and intimidation posts) it seems like the shipping costs, installation pains & the possibility of shipping damage makes the one piece pipes not worth it...

I imagine GW, BD & VC would make 1 piece units if they thought it was worth it?

[Terry Kay]

<<Terry in one place you claim that there is documented evidence that changing the coolant stops corrosion>>>

Youn are 100% correct--And this is common Automotive Knowledge--not just exclusive to Vanagons Only.

Evewr see a 400 Cummins cyliner liner that's never had the coolant changed, or the water filter changed?

How bout a 535 Ford?

How bout a Detroit Diesel?

How bout a VW Vangon?

Pins holes in the cylinder liner's are coomon with this situation of neglect.

<< and in another you claimed that they leaked from the get go.>>


They leaked right on the Show Room Floor.
The only miles they had on them was from the truck to the shop to the floor.

You need a dealer's phone number too?

<<Only one of these two statements can be correct.>>

Nope.
They both are a fact--two different situations.
One is due to zero maintainence, one is due to poor machining,or over poor design.

Take your pick--
Neither one is due to the construction of the pipes.

<< Choose one and then stick to it.>>

OK--I did.
Two situations, same outcome.


<<As for what keeps aluminium from corroding it is well known to anyone who learned anything in high school>>

I didn't study aluminum in HS.

Math, Shop, PE, Biology,etc.

they didn't offer studies in aluminum back then.

<<Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium_oxide>>

Not available back in 1966.
Sorry---
No books went by the name of Wikipedia

<<"Aluminium oxide is an amphoteric oxide of aluminium with the chemical formula Al2O3.>>

Ok--and how in the heck is any fluid passing through stainless tubing going to remove the aluminum oxide?

It isn't going to happen.
And this is the issue.

The failure to keep your cooling system up to the proper acidic levels will do more damage to an engine than a pair of coolant transportation tubes.
_________________
T.K.

[240Gordy]

[PDXWesty]

Why is it these type of posts always have to turn into an augument between the same people? Everyone has a right to their opinion and not everyone has to prove themselves right all the time. Let it be and keep on the original topic.
_________________
89 Westy 2.1 Auto

[Wildthings]

Terry, show me one Vanagon that has not had corrosion problems, just one. Every Vanagon that I have ever heard of has had corrosion problems. It doesn't matter whether the antifreeze was changed every year there was still a corrosion problem with the heads. Yes changing the antifreeze every few years will reduce the problem and adding coolant conditioner is in my experience even better, but nothing stops it.

The question is whether 304SS pipes make it worse. You have either done no testing or won't admit to the results from the test. These aren't Fords, Detroits, or Cummins, they are VW Vanagons that had a corrosion problem from day one that would lead to the failure of the waterbox gasket in about 80K miles no matter how often the antifreeze was change. Since you haven't shown any proof that your pipes won't make a bad problem worse I will have to assume that they will.

[fatboypaul]

Advantage : Wildthings.

[PDXWesty]

We all know there's no point in starting a debate with TK. He has his opinions and no amount of argument is EVER going to change his mind. I don't know why you guys take such offense and go on and on and on with him. It only makes reading these posts a real drag. Consider the source and let it go.
_________________
89 Westy 2.1 Auto

[Rocky Mountain Westy]

[Rocky Mountain Westy]

[mblotz]

BRAVO for clearing that up RMW. not everything is made in Asia--and the second claim I've seen stating so

[markz2004]

Match Point - Rocky Mountain Westy!

next volley?
_________________
87 Westy, 250k GW 2.4 - 2.0 , 16" wheels

[Vanagonner]

RMW has excellent equipment and top-notch workmanship. I have been in the manufacturing facility and seen racks of coolant pipes ready to go (USA, USA). I bet they would make a set of mild steel ones and have them powder coated if you wished.
_________________
Sage
'82 Westy 1.6 D
the mighty n/a

[syncrodoka]

Thanks for clearing up the smoke cloud RMW. I appreciate that there is a solid vendor that is willing to push the envelope on the products that they make and still have the customer in mind.

[vanjoe]

I have been following this thread. The original post was just to get input on a certain product and it turned into a science lecture. I am no expert in this subject but all chemicals have a life expectancy. Automoblie manufactuers all have recommended change interval for coolant, oil, ect. So all chemicals obviously have a breakdown point at sometime. We all know nothing last forever. If the stainless pipes last 20 years and the plastic last 5 years you are still ahead of the game installing stainless pipes. I don't have of them yet. Like I said I am having some made in an earlier post. I am pretty sure if all of them are made from the same grade stainless they are all probably pretty comparable. After all it is just a pipe to get coolant back and forth between the motor and the radiator. As long as it doesn't leak its doing its job. Maybe I wrong but that is all it seems to me.

[Timwhy]

[r39o]

http://www.flex-a-lite.com/auto/html/anode.html

http://www.jcwhitney.com/RADIATOR_CORROSION_INHIBI...000879;0;0

So what about these to save us from the awfulness of galvanic corrosion?

(They work in my old Mercedes with steel blocks, aluminum heads, steel and stainless steel pipes. Well, at least they seem to work.)

(They are also in your home water heater. The longer the rod, the longer the life of the heater. And they charge you a lot more for a longer zinc rod. You can order rods, at least for the Sears water heaters. Wonder why mine is still good from 1985???)

So what about them?????
_________________
"Use the SEARCH, Luke" But first visit the Vanagon FAQ!

1990 Multivan EJ 22, Rancho trans 0.82 4th, Small Car front AC, CLKs w/ 215/65-16, homemade big brakes 303mm, Konis, Recaros, etc....

Click to see my ads for Cup holders, Subaru clutch fix and CLK wheels (no wheels currently)

[Rocky Mountain Westy]

[Wildthings]

[Rocky Mountain Westy]

[PDXWesty]