On Fri, Mar 6, 2009 at 10:24 PM, Jon Kanas <kanas@qadas.com> wrote:
> Hello Listers,
>
> Vehicle: �1987 Syncro, 121K Mi.
>
> Weather's nice, so it's time to get the Syncro out and prepare for some
> fun. �That being said, I've a coolant leak. �There is a wet coolant on
> the heater hose at the rear, immediately over the RR axle. �The leak is
> either at the very end of the hose where it couples to the "Distribution
> Unit" (See Bentley, page 19.11, diagram 19-427). �It is not readily
> apparent which component is leaking.

.....

>
> Question 2: �The heater hoses feel soft, and have never been replaced.
> What is the list's collective list experience with the lifetime of
> Vanagon heater hoses.
>

I used red heater hose on my Westy.  I understand red hose is stronger
than the black hose. And FWIW, I found that buying the whole box (50'
?)  actually ended up being cheaper, or close to the price of buying
by the foot. YMMV.  :)

Since you're experiencing small leaks now, if long heater hoses are
original, likely they should be replaced. And this might be a personal
preference type of thing, but I found that the new VW heat control
valve I installed has a *slow* leak. In hindsight, I'd have been
better off installing a residential plumbing type valve. Terry K sells
a part like this:

http://community-2.webtv.net/VanStuff/VanagonWestfalia/

Yours' may be perfectly fine though.  i.e. if it aint' broke.....

Cheers,

Neil.

-- 
Neil Nicholson '81 VanaJetta 2.0 "Jaco"

http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/

http://groups.google.com/group/vanagons-with-vw-inline-4-cylinder-gas-engines