Urgent: how well does a coolant hose need to fit?

Post by **MacAoidh** » 06 Oct 2006, 09:47

I've finally sourced a new, extremely expensive coolant hose. No return possible. Connects engine, tank, oil cooler, rad. Different part number to the one that burst, which is no longer produced...

On the join with the radiator pipe, it's really rather loose. I would guess that the internal diameter of the hose is about 3mm greater than the metal pipe it's connecting to. All the others are a good firm fit.

Is it worth just tightening up the clamp good and firm, and giving it a go, or am I just wasting my time and what remains of the antifreeze, which will inevitably end up pouring out over my friend's neighbour's driveway?

Is it possible to replace the metal pipe? Will that in turn mean replacing the long hose to the radiator, etc etc? Or some kind of shim? Urgent help much appreciated, as the van is miles from home, I need to get to work, etc etc!

Post by **purplechugster** » 06 Oct 2006, 09:50

I had a 'not very tight' temporary junction to replace the heater/water valve. It lasted... ooh, three maybe four hundred yards

Post by **HarryMann** » 06 Oct 2006, 10:04

Has the metal pipe got a bead around it?

Occasionally I've seen one built up with JB weld (see Wiki Tips Tools and Techniques - JB Weld)

Or bead built up with solder

Or 3mm on diameter Mmm! thats quite a bit (a 0.060" annular gap in proper units

)

Binding the metal pipe with PTFE tape and building it up might work, but thats a lot of layers!

If this metal pipe is the long one that runs the length of the vehicle, then its ounds like its the old style pipe, the new ones are plastic, and the old ones do not last forever.. if I'm right maybe worth talking the normal 80-90 club spares suspects to see if you can#t source a plastic one, you don't have to change both, but you could of course bite the bulelt..

Otehsr may have a completely different take on thsi problem, maybe ask someone that know better.. . wait for others to chime in. Good Luck

Website · Post by **dingleyhythe** » 06 Oct 2006, 12:16

Try packing out the joint with a short piece of the old pipe pushed on first- this should give you a suitably tight fit then just do up the clip as normal. It is a lot easier that way round than trying to make ones just too small expand that extra mm or two. This should probably be classed as a tempory repair but a similar bodge done on one of my Audis lasted years and was still fine the day the car rusted out.

Post by **MacAoidh** » 06 Oct 2006, 14:18

Cheers all, after noticing that the coolant water had zero antifreeze in it (major top ups en route) I thought I'd just give it a go. Seems fine. It's a large diameter pipe, so more leeway for compression by the jubilee clip. And yes, it's got a bead. So I reckon it's a goer as is, perhaps a second/third jube clip to be sure. (btw, the main pipe is I think plastic, just a metal elbow bit at the end)

Now to get some antifreeze in...