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Engine bay solid coolant pipe

Posted: 03 May 2018, 18:10
by ash1293
So we all know which one I'm talking about;
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/VW-T25-CAMPE ... xyhS9TjHXM

Mine is looking quite scabby mid point while the rest looks solid, well from the outside at least. The way I see it if I'm going to flush through and put new coolant in I may as well consider my opitions now rather than having to do a partial drop in future.

Going to throw out a few options and please be as frank and as honest as you like.

1) Do nothing - tackle it if and when it finially gives up.

2) Cut the weakened section out and fit a section of rubber/silicone .

3) Go with the £50 replacement, heard that most of the mild steel replacements are a poor fit but I could be wrong.

4) Go with the stainless from Brickwerks - It'll fit first time, last forever, etc etc but weights in at over £90

Re: Engine bay solid coolant pipe

Posted: 03 May 2018, 18:13
by DoubleOSeven
£50 one fits fine. How long are you keeping the bus dictates how much you want to future proof it I guess.

Re: Engine bay solid coolant pipe

Posted: 03 May 2018, 19:35
by Ian Hulley
ash1293 wrote:
Going to throw out a few options and please be as frank and as honest as you like.

1) Do nothing - tackle it if and when it finially gives up.

2) Cut the weakened section out and fit a section of rubber/silicone .

3) Go with the £50 replacement, heard that most of the mild steel replacements are a poor fit but I could be wrong.

4) Go with the stainless from Brickwerks - It'll fit first time, last forever, etc etc but weights in at over £90

Realistically the mild steel ones last 4-5 years (unless it gets scratched when putting it in) ... I've now replaced all the pipes on ours for stainless as we're in this game for the long run. Obviously you know the options, it makes sense to change the pipes that attach to the water pump when you need to replace the pump ... save up, buy the pieces one per month or something.

Regarding the 'poor fit' part ... the GSF ones used to be V.A.G. marked OEM parts ... obviously I wouldn't know any more. :wink:
Ian

Re: Engine bay solid coolant pipe

Posted: 04 May 2018, 05:17
by NicBeeee
I made one out of silicone hose and brass T pieces, it's been on for a while now and all is good.

Whoops ignore me, jumped the gun and thought you meant the bleed ring, it is early :oops:

Re: Engine bay solid coolant pipe

Posted: 05 May 2018, 00:01
by maxstu
If its scabby then replace immediately. Mine went the same way and rusted from inside out. :roll: Then blew at one of the spigots. Metal replacement lasted a few years. Next Stainless version was immaculate after seven years before selling van...Stainless every time. Its an economical logical choice (plus peace of mind) if you intend to keep van long term.

Re: Engine bay solid coolant pipe

Posted: 05 May 2018, 13:06
by ash1293
Cheers everyone - while some will say false economy I went with the steel from GSF. With one of their discount days it worked out at £44 inc delivery so will look at quality when it arrives.
The way I look at it now is that it should do me for a few years while we run this van and decide if its a long term keeper or not.

Re: Engine bay solid coolant pipe

Posted: 09 May 2018, 11:55
by ash1293
Just a small update - arrived today, labelled up as a JP Group part. Looks ok but time will tell.

Re: Engine bay solid coolant pipe

Posted: 09 May 2018, 13:47
by Ant-t
Mmm mine is looking the worse for wear, better think about replacing it....