Coolant Pipe. Left Head To Coolant Ring

[maxstu]

Replaced this coolant pipe as the original VW pipe had a very small split under the spring clip. Not leaking though. Replacement from Brickwerks is a flimsy part (compared to original) but as it is from BW was confident it is good.
Yet, l can't stop a small leak between new coolant pipe and cylinder head spigot. It only happens when engine is stone cold. As soon as it warms up it stops. Least l think it stops! Could be vapourising?
It's very frustrating. I tried a new spring clip. No change. Have check cylinder head spigot. Clean and sound. Used gasket sealant. Plumber teflon tape (worse). A marine grade smooth internal jubilee clip. Still leaks!
As l thought l had solved issue in the beginning l threw out old pipe. But new one is still leaking. Just a small amount is visible each morning. It's not running down from above. I tested the connection at the coolant ring by tying a bit of tissue paper around the top. No moisture there.
In the end l damaged the worm screw on the jubilee by overtightening. See how tight it has pinched new pipe.
No damage though.


Old genuine VW pipe. A bit of damage on top.



New pipe with gasket sealant. Leaking


Cleaned and added teflon tape. Worse



Regards
Stuart

[davidoft1]

Leaks are quite often caused by corrosion, wire brush and wd40 the ally has worked for me plenty of times

[maxstu]

Hi David.
The head is very clean. I used scotchbrite too. Ive even checked all around with a small mirror. Its in excellent condition. No corrosion.

[maxstu]

Dont suppose you have an original spare? Hang on! I asked you this before didnt l?

The aftermarket version is really poor compared to the original version. Both Brickwerks and CoolairVW (local to me) show original pipe in photo. Then send a flimsy replica. And the genuine version has a plate inside to stop pipe getting pushed on too far or acting as a coolant baffle to reduce flow rate.

Original


Flimsy and very thin replica

[cobblers]

I had this with my old caravelle, I'm almost certain.
I moved the jubilee clip long a few millimetres so that it clamped on the "rib" rather than on the narrower section, and it never leaked again

[maxstu]

Thanks to both.
Aidan. The pipe to coolant rail needs to be about 14inches long. Its hard to judge really.
Dave...tried this and still leaks. So l must assume theres a fault in the new hose.
Annoying thing is it didnt leak with original damaged hose and spring clip

[maxstu]

Going to get a new hose and use a marine stainless steel mikalor clamp.

[maxstu]

Aidan, lve got a spare coolant ring pipe. Thermostat to coolant ring one. I could use this with 8mm copper pipe inside to extend if you are willing to sell cylinder head coolant pipe. I dont trust this aftermarket flimsy one whatsoever.

Regards
Stuart

[airheadboxer]

Thanks to both.
Aidan. The pipe to coolant rail needs to be about 14inches long. Its hard to judge really.
Dave...tried this and still leaks. So l must assume theres a fault in the new hose.
Annoying thing is it didnt leak with original damaged hose and spring clip

I hope you don’t mind me saying this, but the new jubilee clip in the last couple of pictures looks to have a long tail on it because the clip diameter size may be a bit too big in the circumstances. This may be a problem because the curve of an "over size" clip under the worm drive bit is too “flat” compared to the curve of the smaller diameter hose, and because the hose is so thin (so no squidgyness) it doesn’t apply an even pressure all the way along worm drive arc allowing it to leak.
I’ve found that using a clip that is only just the right diameter is sometimes more successful because the worm drive arc more closely matches that of the pipe. Just a thought.
 

[maxstu]

Hi airheadboxer,

Thanks and l see your point.
However, l have tried correct sized spring clip. The another new gpring clip. Then correct sized jubilee clip...a quality marine hose one, l may add.

Then tried this. A larger one sitting on collar of cylinder head pipe spigot and correct sized one holding pipe nearest to head. Still leaks!

If l cant get my hands on a far superior original style hose, will fit another aftermarket one with a marine grade stainless steel mikalor clamp.

This simple (so l thought) maintenance procedure is getting annoying, though!

[trundletruc]

I put a recon engine into my van and it took me a long time to find were the water weep was coming from. At one time a thought it was a crack in the new cylinder head.
Eventually I put the old pipe back on - no leak! The new ones have a fault somewhere in their construction. I bought mine from VW Heritage. Still got the old one on.

[maxstu]

Well, that is how lm feeling at present. Except l threw out the old one thinking the new one way fine. This new replica is naff and everso flimsy.
So lm still looking for an original VW 025121058C coolant pipe.

[300CE]

Bit of a curveball Stu, but is it worth contacting these chaps to see if they can make you one up in silicone:

https://www.autosiliconehoses.com/

[maxstu]

Had a look at their site. Looks reasonably priced too, J. Thanks.
Aidan is sorting a geniune used hose for me. So lm happy to run on this route for now.

Regards
Stuart

[maxstu]

All sorted by using an original coolant hose (in excellent condition) supplied by Sir Aidan. Thank you very, VERY much!


A camper without coolant leaks....finally.
The replicas are not worth buying. They may be cheap. But l spent 10 days sorting this issue. All because the pipe sent to me by BW and Aircoolvw shows original hose in picture on their webpages. Then they send out this Classic Line junk.

Classic Line replica. Go original if you can.


Leak free original hose.


Many thanks to all.

Regards
Stuart