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Swapping engine to radiator pipes to stainless.
Posted: 06 Nov 2016, 08:40
by Winchweight
We have a coolant leak due to our coolant pipes being gunked where they meet the rubber hoses and corroded clips etc, and will take the opportunity to swap them for a stainless set from BW. Is it a straight forward job? Any gotchas?
Re: Swapping engine to radiator pipes to stainless.
Posted: 06 Nov 2016, 11:11
by Smiffo
Hi Winchweight.
Yes, the new ones come in 4 sections - 2x lengths on feed and 2x lengths for return pipes - rather than two long sections that you will currently have.
I found it best to take note of which side the existing feed and return lengths are ( i.e. whether feed or return is nearest outside of van for example. )
Remove the old ones and lay them on the ground.
Get the new ones and lay them next to the old so you can be sure you have orientation and layout correct.
Make sure you can raise the van up off of the ground. I did it with no jacks or ramps and it was damn hard work.
The tank is an awkward section. You may find the old pipes are strapped to the bottom of the van, and may need to drop the tank to get the new ones over it.
Some here have managed to get them through without dropping the tank, but I couldn't do it. One managed to go through OK, but there just didn't seem to be enough wriggle room to get the second one over it.
In all honesty it isn't a complicated job, but if you try and do it as I did at first then it could be so awkward that you burn time just faffing about.
There are a few bits here:
https://club8090.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.p ... 2&start=30" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: Swapping engine to radiator pipes to stainless.
Posted: 06 Nov 2016, 11:17
by Winchweight
Thanks mate. It's a Syncro so a little easier due to extra height and no fuel tank to worry about. Just having a cuppa after emptying the system into my face whilst trying to free a rusty jubilee clip. Not tasty, not at all....
Re: Swapping engine to radiator pipes to stainless.
Posted: 06 Nov 2016, 11:25
by Smiffo
Yep - you will find you end up the human equivalent of the Vileda Super Mop..!!

At least you won't get those tank issues with the Syncro...
Re: Swapping engine to radiator pipes to stainless.
Posted: 06 Nov 2016, 13:12
by what2do
Smiffo wrote:
Make sure you can raise the van up off of the ground. I did it with no jacks or ramps and it was damn hard work.
You can't be much of a pie eater if you did it without jacking the van up

Re: Swapping engine to radiator pipes to stainless.
Posted: 06 Nov 2016, 13:43
by Winchweight
You clearly haven't seen me!
When I undid the front bashplate, I rested it on my belly until all the bolts were undone. Now that's forward planning.
Re: Swapping engine to radiator pipes to stainless.
Posted: 06 Nov 2016, 15:32
by Smiffo
what2do wrote:Smiffo wrote:
Make sure you can raise the van up off of the ground. I did it with no jacks or ramps and it was damn hard work.
You can't be much of a pie eater if you did it without jacking the van up

Body of a bronzed love God..!!!
Just don't ask for proof lol
