Instead of the Lowe's piece, I would go to a n auto parts store that sold
hose repair kits and find an 1 1/4" splice made of the gray plastic that
will withstand auto fluid temps cuz that what they were designed for.  I
carry several of them and the hose clamps to match in my emergency kit just
for piece of mine.  They're pretty cheap, think I found them at Wal Mart or
similar store.

DM&FS
-----Original Message-----
From: Joe L. <mejoe100@EARTHLINK.NET>
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Date: Sunday, October 29, 2000 11:24 AM
Subject: Re: cooling system modification, OK?

>        While I can think of no reason not to use a piece of plastic pipe
picked up
>at Lowes pure paranoia would prevent me from using it as "household
>environments" are drastically different from "automotove environments". I
>have "plastic" parts in my cooling system as well but these were purchased
>at an auto supply store and, theoretically anyway, are designed and built
to
>put up with the oil, gas, solvents, heat, etc.. Yours may not be. It may
>hold the pressure now but how about after the gas, oil, solvents and the
>rest have had a year or so to "eat" that plastic?
>        I dont know if the "Plumbing Plastic" from Lowes would be able to
put up
>with an "automotive environment" or not but not knowing would be enough for
>me to pick up my plastic parts at the auto store.
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
>Of Bradley Flubacher
>Sent: Sunday, October 29, 2000 11:30 AM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>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