Leaking metal coolant pipe

Post by **richardcn** » 15 Feb 2008, 21:14

Hi 80-90ers

Can anybody help me with a small but significant problem. I have a coolant leak on my 89 petrol 1.9 DG and I've finally traced it to the metal pipe that runs from the pump to the RH block. Although I can't see the hole because of the position, holding a piece of cardboard under the pipe directly behind the crankshaft pully reveals a steady drip (I'm doing this engine off, of course)! It's not running down from either the flange nor the rubber pipe which it connects to so I assume (especially from reading on here) that it has just corroded through (at least it isn't the pump or worse as I'd feared)! However, looking at the price of a new one I think I'd rather it was!!! So these are my questions:

1) Are they really this price or have I got the wrong item (£40+)?
http://www.volkspares.co.uk/shop/produc ... 5341f2dce3
http://www.vagcat.com/epc/cat/vw/T2/1989/78/49/881018/ (*Item#39*)

2) Who sells them at a more 'sensible' price (or is it likely to be repairable)?

3) What is the best way to flush the system (post fix) as the water dripping (now pouring) out is a rusty brown colour which even I know is not good!

There were lots of other questions that I had but this excellent forum has provided me with all the answers so I'm up for a pipe change as soon as I can get one.

Thanks
Richard

Post by **camper** » 15 Feb 2008, 21:20

http://shop.justkampers.com/product_inf ... ts_id/9617 £48.75 from them

Post by **edoh** » 15 Feb 2008, 21:23

recent similar discussion on yhe forum -
and senor mockis definitive work -
http://archive.club8090.co.uk/viewtopic.php?t=29487

https://club8090.co.uk/wiki/Co ... ing_system

Post by **richardcn** » 15 Feb 2008, 21:43

Hi

Thanks for the speedy replies edoh & camper but none of these are the pipe that I'm talking about. It runs from the underside/RH side of the pump, goes behind the crank pulley and then connects to a rubber hose which in turn leads to the RH block. Also I did read mocki's article but it doesn't mention flushing which I've not done before.

Thanks
Richard

Post by **maximus** » 15 Feb 2008, 21:54

The metal coolant pipes are still available from VW 64 notes plus VAT.

Post by **edoh** » 15 Feb 2008, 22:12

can try
http://www.vagcat.com/
to confirm exact part abd part number -
and can try - search facility - on top of page -
with - flushing coolant - i got 497 replies! could be a long evening ahead!

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 15 Feb 2008, 22:13

Take it off and have a look-see, it may be just a pin-hole that`s weldable, or it may be completely shot. It`s gotta come off anyway, so it`s worth a look.

That item you listed from Volkspares is till available from VW, but I havn`t got the current price. (my listing says around 50 Euro)

Metal water pipe
from engine block to water pump
Part Number: 139980241
Known As: 025 121 151 (VW OE number)

Post by **richardcn** » 16 Feb 2008, 12:02

Hi again

Thanks for all of your suggestions. After much staring at the vagcat I've finally realised that the name next to the item on the list on the right-hand side does not necessaily apply to the Item No! Clicking on the Item No brings up another window with the details (in German but easily translatable on the net) and so I can say with some certainty that the item I'm after is 025121151 Water Pipe (metal) which is item 38 (not 39 as I previously stated - sorry). So you were right Westy.Club.Joker, do you think that VW will be cheaper than other retailers? I see that the vagcat listing says 38 Euros but I guess that is probably out of date.

Richard

Post by **richardcn** » 16 Feb 2008, 13:14

Okay I spoke to my local VW Van centre and they can get the part (£38ish) but won't know if they've warehouse stock until Monday. Volkspares seem to have the part in stock but there's nothing on their website to say how quickly they despatch. Also they don't appear to stock the gasket/seal or bolts & washers, I suppose that it would be unreasonable (and risky) to assume that these would come with the pipe? Can anyone help on those points or suggest any other potential suppliers as I'm fairly new to this and desperate to get it fixed (aren't we all)? I will probably have a go at removing the pipe today but I don't think that welding it seems like a sensible option given the fiddlyness of the job and the fact that it's corroded through in the first place, I'd be forever checking it for leaks

Any further help really appreciated.

Richard

Post by **Laurie** » 16 Feb 2008, 18:45

On the left hand rear of the case, where it fits to the bell housing, is a plastic bung. Remove that and turn the engine until you can see one of the holes in the back of the flywheel appear. You can then put a bolt through the hole, into the hole in the flywheel and it will give you a lock to undo your front pulley.

There are 2 pipes, the little one and the bowed one. If the little one is punctured, you should check the bowed one and vise versa. You should also have a bloody good look round your other steel pipes because they've been running the same water through them!

The 2 pipes you mention are only made by VW so the price won't be all that good.

You could try Mega Bug, they are quick and reasonable. Or, Synchro nuts in Shotts. Ian often has stuff like that.

If you get another pipe, immerese it in hammerite. That will stop it farting in church!

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 16 Feb 2008, 21:14

I would just buy the new parts from VW delaer, including new gaskets etc. It`s not worth the ars++ng about with second-hand bits to save 20 quid on an awkward job like that. Second hand pipe may not be a lot better nick

Post by **Laurie** » 17 Feb 2008, 12:32

Maybe, but you'd be surprised how many of that particular pipe stay good.
Not the little 90 degree one, but the bowed one.
New is always best, especially if it's genuine.

Post by **Westy.Club.Joker** » 17 Feb 2008, 13:03

Richard, have a quick look on Brickwerks site (Baxters Garage) there is a foto on there under "T3 parts, cooling system", there is one of the metal pipes that he keeps in stock. That`s NOT the one you need is it?

http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/index.php?p ... t&Itemid=6

Post by **Laurie** » 17 Feb 2008, 13:42

No. He needs the bowed one that goes under the front pulley. Flange on one end to water pump. Spigot on other for rubber pipe which then goes to a 90degree pipe, sometimes plastic, sometimes metal. Plastic ones are crap!

Post by **richardcn** » 17 Feb 2008, 16:22

Hi

Thanks Westy.Club.Joker & Laurie for your help on this. I will order from VW so that I can get all the little bits that I need to do the job in one go (he says optimistically). Having looked at the job I'd realised that I'd need to take pulleys off for access so your little tip Laurie will help to smooth the way a bit I hope. I will report back on my progress in the week. While I'm asking does anybody know of a good source for an oil drain plug washer for my 89 1.9 DG. All those that I've ordered and tried have been the wrong size. On second thoughts I might as well ask VW for that too eh!

Thanks
Richard