Coolant Pipe Leak

[jrt]

I would bite the bullet and replace with new stainless. I did mine on the drive with the van on its wheels. I managed to do it without fully dropping the tank, I just dropped one end and reached underneath to undo the clips/ cable ties etc.
I won’t lie , it wasn’t the most pleasurable job I’ve done on the van but it was January and freezing cold.
David.

[TONYT25T25]

Thanks David, like you i may have to do mine the same time of year but I dont need to use it for a while, will start it up to keeo things circulating, will keep an eye on coolant levels and other dashboard indicatiions whilst doing so.

[TONYT25T25]

The steel insert can expand with rust and cause the plastic pipe to crack which will then leak. If the rubber pipe has movement to allow it ,cut the plastic pipe shorter and as said, use 2 screw clamps in lieu of the barb or if necessary cut the plastic pipe about a foot from the end and insert a rubber section to extend it,again using 2 clamps per connection.I have found that the pipes jointed in this way(without the metal inserts or barbs) have remained leak free and reliable.

Having not got around to doing any repairs yet, need to grasp the concept of securing the two sections without the lip, how did you manage to get it leak free without the lip in.place, I would have thought that coolant would seep out at the join.

[cobblers]

The steel insert can expand with rust and cause the plastic pipe to crack which will then leak. If the rubber pipe has movement to allow it ,cut the plastic pipe shorter and as said, use 2 screw clamps in lieu of the barb or if necessary cut the plastic pipe about a foot from the end and insert a rubber section to extend it,again using 2 clamps per connection.I have found that the pipes jointed in this way(without the metal inserts or barbs) have remained leak free and reliable.

Having not got around to doing any repairs yet, need to grasp the concept of securing the two sections without the lip, how did you manage to get it leak free without the lip in.place, I would have thought that coolant would seep out at the join.

It doesn't usually leak significantly but the pipes work themselves loose with heat cycles over time and pop off. I'd only do this as a temporary repair - the pipe needs to be replaced.

[multisi]

I have used the method Cecil mentioned on a subaru conversion pipe set up, never had a problem, the plastic pipes are thick once its past the steel insert area and very strong, i think the steel inserts arent needed and we wouldnt be replacing the pipes if they hadnt been fitted.

[TONYT25T25]

Thanks, first I need to separate them to see what can be done with the current set up.

[hubcap61]

Fitted a set of plastic pipes on my bus over 12 years ago. The steel inserts were gone when I got the pipes. I filed a shamfer on the ends of the plastic pipes to ease fitting into the rubber hoses both ends. Fitted without dropping the fuel tank. Pig of a job as I recall. Never had an issue with them since.

[TONYT25T25]

Fitted a set of plastic pipes on my bus over 12 years ago. The steel inserts were gone when I got the pipes. I filed a shamfer on the ends of the plastic pipes to ease fitting into the rubber hoses both ends. Fitted without dropping the fuel tank. Pig of a job as I recall. Never had an issue with them since.

[TONYT25T25]

Removed spare wheel and carrier today to get a better view of coolant pipes. Havn't separated pipes yet but looks as if the feed plastic pipe where it joins the rubber hose to the radiator has a crack in it. Length of crack quite long so may not be able to cut piece off as mentioned above and breach with hose as existing hose would not be long enough to cover it. May try and source some spare rubber hoses to fill gap.

[TONYT25T25]

Still working on way ahead, thanks to all for feedback, looking at the possibility of cutting the damaged plastic pipe as mentioned by Cecil above, but need a longer piece of rubber piping from the Radiator to cover over the remaining plastic, (still looking at a company to source this) hopefully it is a 32mm Internal Diameter, anybody know how long the metal insert is inside the plastic pipe, so I can cut the pipe after it, and what type of saw/device could be used to cut it whilst still on van. (not much space above pipeing by the looks of it). Also if I can get hold of a longer piece of rubber piping, will it be flexible enough to fit over the radiator inlet and tight enough with clamps to fit over the remaining plastic pipe.