In a message dated 31/10/2005 10:57:41 A.M. Eastern Standard Time,
LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM writes:

The  steel coolant lines on my '82 diesel Westy had the typical rust in the
last  18" of pipe, so I cut this out and replaced with marine  coolant/exhaust
hose, sized to fit over the steel pipe. For now, I have  double clamped
each joint, as they are prone to slipping, since there is no  'flare' on the
pipe where it was cut. Now I have a friend facing the same  issue no their
'85.
Ideas that have come up so far as: 1) welding a bead  around the pipe to
simulate the stock flare. 2) Buying the expensive tool  to create the flare in
the pipe (way too expensive!).

Any other  ideas? The drawback with welding is having to remove the
whole length of  pipe (and presumably the fuel tank as well). Unless I can
bend a wire  around the end of the pipe and just tack it in place in a few
spots with  the pipe installed...

In both vans, the pipes appear pristine except  for the rearmost 18", so
replacing the whole lot seems overkill. But maybe  1.5" hose the whole
way is a better choice long term? The marine hose I  used is much larger
(very thick), so I don't know if it will fit in some of  the tight spots.

Ideas welcome...

Shawn, the hose idea is good but your using the  wrong hose.  It's way too
stiff.  I use & sell, from my _Vanagon Items  Forsale_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/sales.htm)  webpage > Coolant hose, 1-1/4"Green Stripe II,  replacement &
repair of 1.9 main metal coolant pipes, 28445  -  $8.95/ft.  This hose comes
in 250' rolls from NAPA. It is  ideal for replacing the entire length of the
metal tubes.  I have  never had a problem with the hose slipping off the metal
tube.  The tube  must be cleaned and smooth then the hose must be slipped over
the tube at  least four inches then double clamped and the clamps tightened
once the system  is up to operating temperature.

Cheers,

Frank  Condelli
Almonte, Ontario, Canada
'87 Westy, '90 Carat, '87 Wolfsburg  (Forsale) & Lionel Trains
Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa  Valley
_Frank Condelli  & Associates_ (http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/busindex.html)
_Vanagon Stainless Steel Exhaust  Systems_
(http://members.aol.com/Fkc43/stebro.htm)
_BusFusion_ (http://members.aol.com/BusFusion/bfhome.htm)  a VW Camper
camping event, Almonte, ON, June 08 ~ 11,  2006