How dificult is it to change a few small cooling hoses?

[tpinthepack]

I need to change 2 hoses on the 2.1 Doka engine. One from the thermostat tower to the other plastic tower, and the "S" shaped hose over #2 cylinder. Do I pinch the hoses up stream to prevent too much coolant loss and wear goggles and go for it. Or do I pull the plug from the cylinder and drain the engine first? Or do I just do it and make a mess and refill? Will this job avoid the whole bleed thing since it is not up front? Lastly, should I just draint it all and do a full flush?

Thanks, this is my only rear engine VW with Water in it.
(that was supposed to have water any way)

Tony
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TP in the Pack (I am a cyclist)
1968 Manx N.O.S. w/ Barrett Chassis
1960 Single Cab 1914 w/ 40 DLRA's
1990 Vanagon DOKA
1972 Super Beetle
1979 Super Beetle Convertible
2011 Porsche Cayenne

[Zero419]

If its old fluid, change it all.
If not, I would use a catch basin under each connection, refill and bleed.

I don't think you can pinch off all the hoses that you would need to too stop the flow.
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1987 Westy Auto Bostig 2.0 Ztec

[bjrogers86auto]

I changed "a couple" last year...more like 20. I don't think you can avoid draining with those two. If you put the back wheels up on ramps it prevents the front from draining.

Have fun....Brian.

[Terry Kay]

Get yourself a good locking hose clamp plier's, and pre WD-40 or soap up the ends of the new hoses--work like a Bat outa hell and you can get it all done with a minium of coolant loss.

Your gona lose some, but not the full meal deal.

Gravity kicks in here a little bit in the splish-splash your gonna be taking a bath department.
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T.K.

[smokin_dodge]

on the 3.3 swap i did - my buddy's helped me run the coolant lines. the lines we had were a tiny bit smaller (ID was smaller than OD of fitting) so we used Black RTV and covered the hose inlet - thatway you get a good sealed connection and its airtight thanks to the RTV

You should go ahead and replace as many rubber lines as you can - the longer you run the bad lines the sooner you are at risk for a broken line while driving.