Leaking Water Pipe

[bmouthboyo]

Hi Guys,

I have a 1983 T25 Water-cooled.

One of the long metal water pipes that runs the length of the van from the engine to the radiator is leaking a fair amount due to corrosion. It is at the engine end about 4 inches from where it joins the bulkhead into the engine compartment.

Does anyone know of the best way to fix this? I was thinking maybe cutting the corroded part of it out and fixing some rubber hose like used in most of the engine bay.

Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am starting to lose hope of ever having this thing on the road, it had been sitting idle for 5 years apparently before I bought it and what with the K jet Mk2 engine that previous owners have fitted its becoming a bit of a nightmare. I just want to use it

[Cruz]

Either replace with stainless steel or 2nd hand later style plastic pipes

Petrol and deisel plastic pipes are different lengths I think???

Someone on here may have plastic ones if you place a wanted, otherwise

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/VW-T25-T3-Camper- ... 43a16adb3c

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Volkswagen-T3-Typ ... 1c0ec3acd3

Stainless for £££ but will last

http://www.justkampers.com/shop/type_25 ... 15348.html

[bmouthboyo]

Thanks for the reply

I was hoping to just replace the corroded part as cash is scarce at the moment, and I am starting to wonder if i will ever even get the engine running properly.

Has anyone any experience of repairing opposed to replacing the pipes? I was thinking of cutting the pipe before the corrosion and attaching a flexible rubber hose and running that straight to the pump. Providing the long pipe is secure could this work?

[phredd]

bmouthboyo

I am afraid to say this but these pipes corrode from the inside out in most cases due to the wrong type of antifreeze used.
They may look ok from the outside but inside "YUK".
Best bet if cash is tight go for plastic ones but make sure the steel ends on the pipes have no rust on.

If you win the lottery go for SS

Phredd

[fairwynds]

in the right hand side of this pic you can see the 'concertina' shaped pipes that come into the engine bay from under the van. they join to the smooth ones on the engine bay via short sections of metal pipe, as stated. (by recollection, 32mm diameter, but dont quote me!). They are held together by 2 x hose clips on each pipe (ie, one each end of the metal sections). These metal sections end up in that 'figure 8' shaped hole through the bulkhead and SHOULD have a substantial grommet protecting them from the metal bulkhead. They can be replace from both inside the engine bay and from underneath, especially if you undo the other (cable ties?) fixings holding them up against the vans underside. You will lose lots of coolant so be prepared for a coolant change as well! They will be rusted into their rubber hoses and you will need to be careful how you detach them...

[fairwynds]

doh - have just re read your post - your under van front to rear pipes already replaced with metal. Sorry, I think my fall down the stairs has affected my head too!

[Cruz]

They are not replaced with metal they are early metal originals.

TBH it's false economy cutting the pipes and bodging some repair onto them as the rest of the pipe will just corrode away meaning you have to do it all over again. Plus it creates a weak spot.

Just change them for 2nd hand plastic pipes and bobs your buzzard

[bmouthboyo]

thank you so much for all this help.

Could anyone point me in the direction of some plastic pipes? Its just the left pipe as you look into the engine bay thats corroded.

Rough figure on how much these might cost?

Thankyou

[kevtherev]

If you want something then put an ad in the "Wanted" forum

be precise about what you want .. a picture of the part (yours or others) would help the breakers that will reply.

[Cruz]

Could anyone point me in the direction of some plastic pipes? Its just the left pipe as you look into the engine bay thats corroded.

While you are in there I'd change both.

Have you looked at the ebay link, Especially the 2nd one?

[CovKid]

Perhaps shop around for good price on this stuff? http://www.viperperformance.co.uk/produ ... 31.80%20mm

[kirrie]

bodge can be done ie- connecting rubber hose in -did it over a year ago (in same place)and still good but I keep an eye on it If monies tight it is a shortish term option - Jack

[waltraud]

I have two plastic pipes both with no damage and very good ends as I searched through a big pile of them to get the only two decent ones! They are for a petrol engined t25 but not sure what year. I can measure the diameter and length. They are BOTH the SHORTER pipes, the original ones have pone longr and one shorted , by about 10" although both pipes are the same shape except at one end. BUT as long as you are prepared to make one of your hoses a bit longer (hoseworld.com are very cheap and carbuildersolutions .com or .co.uk??not sure which- good for aluminium pipe joiners or try ebay.) If you want them i can send pics of the ends to show that the metal inserts are v.good and no splits in the plastic either. As i got them cheap i would pass this on to another member. PM me if ur interested.

[bmouthboyo]

OK I have been putting a lot more hours now my camper van has been towed to my new place. I today just got the engine started

Now back to the coolant pipes

I checked them pretty thoroughly and to be honest most of the pipe is decent on both with only these two holes that I can see:
This is on the hot pipe


This is on the return pipe


I know no matter what I am going to have to remove them but I was firstly wondering are these repairable? Could a welder sort them out? as it seems a waste to ditch them if most of the pipe is fine.

Secondly I am not sure how I remove them from the engine bay firewall? They don;t budge at all and feel welded!



Are they? If so what should I do?

Thanks in advance

[tinman]

Seriously mate, I'm not bad at welding thin tin but if you gave me those to weld up I'd tell you to go away in jerky movements.
You can cut out the bad bits and replace with rubber pipe, you'll need it to have an inside diameter of 32mm.
But think obout this, its gonna cost for the rubber hose and clips and your time and effort!
You can get some second hand plastic pies for around the £50 mark but and a big but check the ends are in good condition as they do rust!
You'll need to drop the petrol tank to fit them and may need to make some small mods to get them to fit nice as they are a bigger diameter(38mm) and make sure you get them the right way around as they won't fit if you muddle them up, I know
Metal pipes do crop up second hand from time to time best to ask a breaker maybe Billy739 or letshaveabus.
Or as someone suggested an ad in the wanted.
Stainless about £200 but do come in 2 parts so you don't need to drop the petrol tank.
Good luck..