Coolant pipe leaks/ cylinder head issues

[westy303]

Hi, I've got an early 1985 T25 with a coolant leak and potential cylinder head issues.

The coolant pipes that run front to back on the van are pretty corroded in places. Ordinarily I'd replace them, but the missus is expecting and this month I've already had a new windscreen, tyre and exhaust to get it thru the MOT. The fella at the garage suggested buying some silicone hose off of ebay and cutting/ piecing the sound parts of the pipes. If I was to do this, would anyone recommend it, and if so, what size would be recommended?

The reason I mention potential cylinder head issues is cos the guy at the garage mentioned it to me. I cannot see any evidence of moisture escaping in any quantity whatsoever. The heads, and most of the engine to put it bluntly, have a pink hue to them where it appears that some form of coolant or rad-weld type substance may have sprayed over the engine when I had an earlier issue with a leaking water pump and may just be the result of spray/condensation containing the coolant. There is a small water leak under one end of the aforementioned coolant pipes and I reckon that on balance any moisture supposedly coming from the head has originating here.

However, just in case, does anyone have any experience of using "Steel Seal"? If I opt for the silicone hose pipe repair, I was thinking of flushing the system, repairing the pipes and then using steel seal in case, kind of in a process of elimination until I can get the work done ( which will be when the missus goes back to work - approximately a year from now!!!). Am I wasting my time, or is there some potential in my idea? I am keen to keep the van moving cos a year off the road is going to bring its own problems.

Your thoughts please?

thanks

Mark

[westy303]

Anybody??

[kevtherev]

Well it would help if you mentioned what engine it is

[Ian Hulley]

Like Kev say's ... however if you can't realistically afford to run it properly at the moment it's better to park it up than to lose the coolant and probably the engine as a result.

Ian

[tinman]

The steel front to back pipes are 32mm outside diameter so you'll need to buy 32mm inside diameter hoses to repair, but to be honest its horrible under there you'll probably be better keeping an eye on ebay or put a wanted ad on here for some good replacement pipes, they do crop up quite cheap from time to time, it'll probably be no more expensive to do it properly than to patch it up.

[westy303]

Apologies, its a 1900 petrol!