there's all kinds of pipe or hose you can use to replace/repair that
section.

I have sections of good steel coolant pipes , which is what I'd use for an
effective and inexpensive reapir.
if interested, pmail.
I like to just rebuild and replace the rear half of those pipes anyway ..
since that's the part that mainly fails,
and if there is a hose junction at the rear edge of the fuel tank...
you can leave the fuel tank in to work on the rear half of the pipes n'
hoses.

also ...there are other types of pipe you can get easily ...EMT is one ..
electrical tubing that seems very strong and corrosion resistant.
get an exhaust shop to bend them a little if needed and to bend a lip on the
ends, so the hose can't slip off.

ther's marine coolant hose too of course...
lots of boats near you too.

which vanagon  ..the ABA gas engine one ?
Scott
----- Original Message -----
From: "Robert Keezer" <warmerwagen@YAHOO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 9:53 AM
Subject: Solder cracked steel coolant pipe?

Ok- So I have a friend who came over yesterday and soldered a one inch crack
in one of the steel coolant pipes which cracked above the gas tank.
I don't trust it, but he persuaded me.

If it fails , it will mean removing the gas tank again, and I need a
permanent fix because I'm selling this Vanagon.

Thanks
Robert
1982 Westfalia