I recently fixed a perfortated coolant hose.
This was the hose that comes from an outlet alongside the rear drivers side
wheel and goes the full length of the van to the front heater core. The
hose had rubbed where it passed over the rear axle boot. Since it was in
otherwise good condition. I cut out the bad 4 inch portion. I then
purchased a 12in length of 5/8in copper pipe and trimmed it to 10in.
I pushed the copper pipe into the severed hose 3 inch at each end securing
with two hose clamps. This left a 4inch length of bare copper pipe. This
was protected by a length of bilge pump/discharge hose. This was 1in inside
diameter white plastic concertina type hose I found at ACE hardware.
This stuff would work great for protecting rubber hose running under the
van.
Eventually, I intend to replace both the rubber hoses running the length of
the van to the front heater core with either copper or plastic pipe.
Does anyone know how to access the hoses where they connect to the front
heater core. Do I really have to remove the steering column and dashboard.
I am hoping not.
Also, all the plastic pipe I saw at ACE hardware said 'cold water pipe max
70 degrees F', am I right in assuming this is inadequate?

- David '87 Wolfsburg