•• Replacing water hose help ••

[centro]

I need to replace the water hose which runs between the flange on the right hand cylinder head and the main plastic pipe running the whole way around the engine bay.

I have bought new pipe and new hose clips from Brickwerks.

Is there anything I should beware of or any tips for removing the old perished hose before commencing what I hope is a simple job?



Thank you

[itchyfeet]

Potential problems are the flange on the head if original may be plastic and break, if it's plastic get a new one in metal because it's going to break sooner or later, there will be minimal coolant loss from there but catch it in a bowl and poor it back in the tank with the darlek cap.

http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/index.php/t ... -2818.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[centro]

Thank you. I did wonder about the flange. I wanted to get this http://www.brickwerks.co.uk/index.php/c ... -2817.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; as it has the gasket and new bolts, but its out of stock. I will see you far I get this evening and decide if I need a replacement flange.

[itchyfeet]

That kit is the same flange as the part I posted, the gasket and screws available seperately (see related parts on the link) but they are out of stock of gasket, I have some spare gaskets here so if you need to get a metal one pm me your address and I will post one.

[centro]

Thats very kind of you! The flange is a metal one already which is handy, so I don't need to replace it at the moment.


I am in a slight panic though, but I'm hoping I can solve the issues which have arisen this evening.

I have removed the offending hose and in doing so about 2 - 3 litres of coolant came out the flange. Is this normal. I have it in a bucket in the shed. I am assuming one I have the new pipe on I can put the coolant back in the engine?

If so – and here is where you realise I know nothing about cars! – how do I get it back in?

Cheers

[edoh]

did itchyfeet answer this earlier in these posts?
'there will be minimal coolant loss from there but catch it in a bowl and poor it back in the tank with the darlek cap.'
in engine bay - facing engine bay - on top left (on mine) - white plastic expansion tank - with a blue (on mine) screw on / screw off cap on it - hose coming off the top of it - ?
not the one behind the number plate -

[itchyfeet]

Yeh no problem, as said stick it back in the tank with the blue darlek cap, its the one top right of this pic ( slightly different engine but same tank) when you unscrew it you will see why we call it a darlek cap, need to pull the overflow pipe off it first. Whole system is 16 litres so three litres is not alot of the total.



if it won't all go in put the cap on run the engine, let it cool then add the rest later. If you lost alot of coolant then the system needs bleeding but this amount is no problem it will sort it's self out just keep an eye on the levels and top up as required, tank with darlek cap should be full the one behind numberplate should be half full.
http://www.brick-yard.co.uk/forum/bleed ... 29710.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

good to keep it in the shed animals can be attracted to it and it kills.

[centro]

did itchyfeet answer this earlier in these posts?
'there will be minimal coolant loss from there but catch it in a bowl and poor it back in the tank with the darlek cap.'
in engine bay - facing engine bay - on top left (on mine) - white plastic expansion tank - with a blue (on mine) screw on / screw off cap on it - hose coming off the top of it - ?
not the one behind the number plate -

He did indeed answer it but to someone like me who has not done this before, I had no reference point as to what is classed as a minimal amount of coolant loss. Of the 16 or so litres of water/antifreeze contained in an engine then yes, the 3 litres I did loose is minimal. That I now know. Plus it came out at such force, I had to stem its flow with my thumb in order to stop it gushing over the exhaust and floor and guide it into the bucket.

Cheers for guidance itchy feet! Really helpful.

[itchyfeet]

You're welcome
Is the coolant pink?
if so then top up with this at 50%
If you are unsure of the history of the coolant ( age or concentration)and keeping the van consider a complete coolant change sometime with your new skills
The reason is it's needed to keep your waterboxer engine form rusting inside.


http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/car-a ... &0&cc5_866" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[centro]

It's pink. G12. Do I attach overflow pipe back on cap each time I need to add a bit more coolant?

[itchyfeet]

To unscrew the tank you need to take the overflow pipe off thats clear but when you put the cap back and run the engine you should put the pipe back on as it's there to catch any overflow in to the second bottle.

There is a method (described on the link to bleed above) where you can start the engine and while cold take the cap off and keep topping up until it gets warm, then stick the cap back on before it overflows, during this time the trapped air comes out, It's a better way but to a novice you might not want to try that so I suggest the safe method of keeping the cap on while you run it, it will self bleed a small amount of air, when it's cold top up again.

[centro]

Thank you again for your advice!

This morning I got as far as getting new pipe on and some of the coolant back in. I guess I'm about a litre short of the total amount due to spillage and not putting the last cruddy dregs in. Should be ok to drive it the half mile to gfs to get some more G12 for a final top up I hope.

Getting the pipe over the flange was a pig. I got it about 3/4 of the way then fixed a clip to it. Will keep an eye on that!

[itchyfeet]

Next time warm the end of the pipe in a cup of hot water, in fact once the engine us warm if you loosen the clip you should be able to push it on further.