John, I have found the ones most likely to fail would be in the engine
bay.  These are the ones that usually are subjected to the most heat and
oil contamination.  I have been putting together a kit of these hoses
for folks.  Usually it runs around $170.  Let me know if you are
interested.  I am away at the moment but I will be back in the office
after June 1st and could get these on the way to you then.  The other
hoses can fail but usually don't unless they get hurt in some way
(rubbed against a CV axle for example).

Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com

John Reynolds wrote:
> Re: 86 Canagon - 2.1 Manual trans - 2WD
>
>
>
> Does anyone know which coolant hoses are the one most likely to fail  - in other words what hoses should absolutely be changed first?
>
> ( I searched the archive to no great luck)
>
>
>
> Also were spring clamps used on all the hoses?
>
>
>
> A few of my hoses have the typical cheese grater clamps - all the small (7mm?) lines and some short hoses, like the one under the alternator after of the 90 deg pipe.
>
>
>
> Seeing it's Memorial Day weekend and the van is not on the road yet, I'm postponing the overhaul of the entire cooling system including replacing all the hoses ( I do have a hose kit) - it's just looks like at least an entire weekend job, when you factor in with cleaning up old spring clamps, removing metal pipes to remove the beginnings of surface rust and paint.
>
>
>
> I do plan replacing the long heater hoses (rear heater is removed), installing the GoWesty plastic pipe repair kit when it comes in and I have to replace my thermostat.   Have replaced the two temp and gauge sensors already in the T-Stat - gauge now works - yeah!
>
>
>
> Thanks to all
>
> John
>
> LiMBO
>
> 86 Wolfsburg Westfalia " Weeknder "
>
> aka: the VW WWW
>
>