Jeff, I had a similar problem on my '84 as a PO had used some non-standard
fittings.  The lower hose was always getting in the way of the A/C belt.
When I got all stock hoses, etc., in place, problem went away.  Could you
modify your configuration to match that of the '84s?  I got my parts from
Van-Again and Bus Depot.

John Lauterbach
Macon, GA

----- Original Message -----
From: Jeffrey R <Oxroad@aol.com>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, July 21, 2000 7:22 PM
Subject: early 83.5 coolant hose Q?

> I seem to have a rare coolant hose set up in my 83.5 Westy with air
> conditioning from the water pump to the bottom of the coolant tank and
from
> the top of the coolant tank where the hose runs from the tank to the black
> metal pipe that crosses the engine from side to side. On  the dealer's
> microfiche it shows only early 83.5 vanagons had this hose set up (those
> before chassis number: DO87511). And it's causing two problems, the first
is
> the A/C belt rubs on both hoses, the second is the price of two
realatively
> short replacement hoses is $160+ and neither Bus Depot or Vanagain are
able
> to get the hoses. I more concerned with the first problem.
>
> The first problem is the top coolant hose has a part number 025 121 130
(NOT:
>  025 121 130A which seems more common on the 1.9 waterboxer). It comes off
> the top of the coolant tank and goes just over the a/c belt to attach to
the
> black metal pipe that that runs across the engine from side to side. The
> other hose runs from the water pump to the coolant tank just under the fan
> belt that runs to the A/c. the upper and lower coolant hose joint each
other
> through T connections on each joined by a coupling with hose clamps.
>
> my set up is different from the main microfiche at the VW dealer(although
> there is an insert showing the set up for my early 83.5 in the microfiche
> which matches my set up). It is also different from the illustration in
the
> Bus Depot catalogue. The difference is the top coolant hose has a T formed
> into it as does the bottom hose, and those two link together with an
insert
> so there are less hoses (no separate T hose etc.) to get from the the
water
> pump or that black metal pipe to the coolant tank than listed in the Bus
> Depot illustration.
>
> I suppose it's best if someone knows this set up, as to try to explain it
> would take pages and I still probably wouldn't be able to make it clear.
>
> Here's the questions:
>
> Was there a different hose set up for early 83.5 model WITH a/c? the
dealer
> says no. But the hoses are dangerously close to that belt which has worn
into
> both of them.
>
> Could the DPO have swapped the coolant tank which is making the hoses ride
> closer to the belt? Or done some other mod?
>
> BTW There would be no problem if there was no a/c belt--but that kind of
> defeats the purpose.
>
> Or can I convert to the other (later) hose set up more widely used and
will
> that solve or lessen the problem of interaction with the a/c belt? Are the
> water pump connections and the rest similar so I would just be re routing
the
> coolant?
>
> Any ideas that have worked or suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I
have
> no real problem spending for the pricey hose since I have to, but if there
is
> some other a/c friendly hose I should be getting instead I'd rather spend
for
> that. I did wrap one hose in sheet iron or tin and clamp it with hose
clamps
> to make a sheild--but the point is the belt is still hitting it and that
> can't bet good.
>
> Thanks,
> Jeff
> 83.5 Westy
> NYC