Hey Bradley,
     You had better check the temperature rating of the plastic line.  Most
are not rated for 180 deg F. and in some cases water temp can get as high as
260 deg F.  CPVC plastic pipe is rated for 180 deg F, just be sure your
plastic pipe is rated for at least 200 deg F.  I would try and find some
rated above 250 deg F.

Colin Moran
"The Bronze Brick"
-----Original Message-----
From: Bradley Flubacher <flubach@HOME.COM>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Sunday, October 29, 2000 10:29 AM
Subject: cooling system modification, OK?

>Hi,  I'm almost complete in the following task,
>
>My '84 vanagon had a rusted return line on the cooling system.  Rather than
>spend well over $100 on the replacement, I went to NAPA and got two soft
>lines.  One was flexible, and the other more rigid.
>
>I cut out the rusted section of the return line, and I connected the two
>soft lines together.  I used an 1 1/4" short plastic sleve I found at my
>local "Lowe's" (hardware superstore).  The plastic sleeve was made for
water
>lines, and is a dark grey color.  I used two of the sleeves, one for
>connecting the two new lines, and one for connecting the new line to the
>engine bay line.  I double clamped all the connections.  I'm also about the
>double clamp this line to the remaining section of the hard line under the
>van.
>
>Anyone think this plastic peice is the wrong thing to use?
>
>Anyone think these soft lines won't hold up to the pressure?  I think they
>will...
>
>Thanks,
>
>Bradley Flubacher
>