Club 80-90 Forums

I have a small leak, that I thought was the head seal, but (big sigh of relief) its coming from above, having followed the crusty white/pink stain. 

Late model cooling system, there is a smallish pipe that comes from the water pump, runs behind the pulley and connects up to the rear of the right hand head. Number 25 in this handy drawing https://www.customandcommercial.com/vw- ... 7fslash85/ 

It is coming out of the head/pipe joint, so looks like it all needs a clean up and new gasket. 

However, the rear pully and the oil filler tube both look to get in the way. Could anyone confirm if you can remove this section of pipe without resorting to removing pulley and filler please? 

Well l managed to change the small connecting rubber pipe item 24 by removing item 25. Dont recall touching pulley or filler. But it was an absolute bast*rd on my lower back.
I used a 1/4 inch drive socket to get access to bolts on filler tube
For peace of mind, change that pipe too.

It's quite cramped there as maxstu says. You should be able to get away with it as its the right side as you might struggle wrestling the whole pipe out behind the pulley etc. Thankfully it comes in bits so you can remove the clamps holding the rubber pipe and once you remove the hardware holding it onto the head wiggle the No. 25 bit off that you need to sort.
Not sure if it would be easier from under the van or above there isn't much room.
 

hm double post, oops!

maxstu wrote: ↑24 Nov 2020, 16:47 Well l managed to change the small connecting rubber pipe item 24 by removing item 25. Dont recall touching pulley or filler. But it was an absolute bast*rd on my lower back.
I used a 1/4 inch drive socket to get access to bolts on filler tube
For peace of mind, change that pipe too.

I mean access to nuts on item 25. Not filler tube nuts. Lack of sleep recently

Also l changed from clamping clips to solid stainless steel jubilee clips. Getting the original clips in place is a killer. No room to use large plumbers grips. Likely easier if you have the proper clamping grip tool.

Thanks for the replies, now I know it’s doable without starting to remove other bits I’ll crack at the weekend.

I found using the clamping clips a bind when changing the thermostat housing on my Focus, ended up using a set of mole grips which when adjusted to suit would hold the clip open and allow me to move into place before releasing them, there is a proper tool that can be purchased but made do with what I had at hand. And of course you need the access to use them.

Split the joint open okay - as above it was tricky but doable.

Only issue was that the leak is caused by the metal inserts in the plastic joint corroding slightly, swelling and cracking the joint where the O ring seal sits. So scrap. 

Thanks to Brickwerks I have a new (metal) joint and gasket in my grubby mitts, and am just waiting for the proper long reach flexible hose clip tool, as there is no way its coming off any other way.