Date:         Thu, 19 Sep 2019 12:54:00 -0400
Reply-To:     Gabriel Hourtouat <ghourtouat@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Gabriel Hourtouat <ghourtouat@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Coolant hose: T-stat to Coolant Distributor Tower
In-Reply-To:  <CAA5WjghO39HzKcrhhzF94+KtkC9jPM4JKrLNKsHk+Z3AkmXqMQ@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

David (or anyone that may have experience with this brand or another),

Does this look good to you?  (see link below)
Or, is it overkill?

https://www.amazon.ca/Tools-9K-00-80-104/dp/B00SI7LV8C/ref=sr_1_3?crid=18CC9L9XUUVPI&keywords=knipex+hose+clamp+pliers&qid=1568911567&s=gateway&sprefix=knipex+hose+cl%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-3

In case the link doesn't work, it is a combo of Knipex 8551250A and 8701250.

Knipex Tools 9K 00 80 104 US 10" Cobra and Hose Clamp Pliers Set (2 Piece)
by KNIPEX Tools
<https://www.amazon.ca/KNIPEX-Tools/b/ref=bl_dp_s_web_11949347011?ie=UTF8&node=11949347011&field-lbr_brands_browse-bin=KNIPEX+Tools>
*5.0 out of 5 stars* * 1 rating
<https://www.amazon.ca/Tools-9K-00-80-104/dp/B00SI7LV8C/ref=sr_1_3?crid=18CC9L9XUUVPI&keywords=knipex+hose+clamp+pliers&qid=1568911567&s=gateway&sprefix=knipex+hose+cl%2Caps%2C174&sr=8-3#customerReviews>
*



* ------------------------------ Price:CDN$ 126.00 FREE One-Day 8 new
<https://www.amazon.ca/gp/offer-listing/B00SI7LV8C/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new>
from CDN$ 126.00
- Adjustment at the touch of a button directly on the work piece - Hose
Clamp Pliers feature rotatable, universal grip inserts for securely
gripping the Clamps in all positions - Hose Clamp Pliers can be used for
standard, space-saving, spring wire hose Clamps and for spring band Clamps
up to 70 mm Nominal size - Cobra Pliers are self-locking on pipes and nuts:
no slipping on the work piece and low hand force required - Chrome vanadium
electric steel, forged, oil-hardened *

On Thu, Sep 12, 2019 at 11:30 PM Gabriel Hourtouat <ghourtouat@gmail.com>
wrote:

> David,
> Thanks for the valued response!
> Cheers,
> g
>
>
>
> On Wed, Sep 11, 2019 at 2:28 PM David Beierl <dbeierl@attglobal.net>
> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> On Wed, Sep 11, 2019 at 1:12 PM Gabriel Hourtouat <ghourtouat@gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> Found a coolant leak in the hose that connects the T-stat to the
>>> Distributor Tower.
>>>
>>> https://www.gowesty.com/product/hoses/18816/coolant-hose-thermostat-housing-to-distribution-tower-?v=
>>>
>>> Looks like it might be a bit tricky to make the connection to the
>>> distributor tower.  Is that the case?  Any tips?
>>>
>>
>> I don't recall there being any particular difficulty.  You'll need a set
>> of hose clamp pliers intended for flat band spring clamps to work with the
>> factory clamps.  Some people like the cable operated type, but I prefer the
>> pliers type and have been able to reach everything I've needed to so far.
>>
>> Some people also replace the factory clamps with the screw type.  This is
>> a poor idea as the factory ones are self-compensating for rubber shrinkage
>> etc.
>>
>>>
>>> The leak is suspiciously close to where work was done to replace my oil
>>> leak last month.  Did the leak happen because the hose is old and
>>> couldn't
>>> handle being bumped and pushed around?
>>>
>>
>> Possibly but much more likely it was simply its time.
>>
>>>
>>> Am I going to hasten many other leaks by fixing this one?
>>>
>>
>> The likeliest problem would be having the coolant tower break -- if it's
>> an original it's well past the time of anticipated failure.
>>
>>
>>>
>>> Would rescue tape work for a few years and prevent me from causing new
>>> problems in the immediate future?
>>>
>>
>> It could, depending on where the leak is.  But it's difficult to apply
>> properly without good access and a clean dry hose.  Beside the road, sure.
>> At home, makes much more sense to replace the hose.
>>
>>
>>> All I need at present is one hose ($14.95).  Should I change all of the
>>> coolant system ($944, if I am not mistaken)?  If I don't change all of
>>> the
>>> system, what would be the smartest items to replace?
>>>
>>
>> Depends how old they are.  If they're from '86, any or all, and any
>> plastic cooling parts (distributor housing, nipple on right head to the
>> bleed manifold that runs around the hatch, tower, bleed manifold unless
>> it's metal) are past due for replacement.
>>
>> Aside from shipping costs, the more you replace at one time, the fewer
>> times you have to drain and refill the system.  Depends whether time/money
>> or peace of mind are more important to you in the moment.
>>
>> I had four coolant leaks in three months when I put my present '89 on the
>> road.  I took the hint.
>>
>> Yrs,
>> d
>>
>>
>>>
>>> Weak in the knees,
>>> Gabby
>>> 1986 WBX Westy
>>>
>>