FWIW, the GoWesty Coolant Ripe Repair Kit is a solid fix for the plastic
pipe end piece problem that Mark mentioned. $50 and it just works.
http://gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=3643&category_id=376
<http://gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=3643&category_id=376>
John Meeks
'91 Multivan
Northern Michigan

Vanagon Rescue Squad
www.vanagonauts.com
John Meeks
'91 Multivan
Northern Michigan

Vanagon Rescue Squad
www.vanagonauts.com

On Fri, Oct 15, 2010 at 10:08 AM, mark drillock <mdrillock@cox.net> wrote:

> The plastic pipes fail and yours are likely failing now. The problem is
> with a steel insert that is inside each end of the plastic pipes. It is
> there to support the plastic where the hose and hose clamp goes. The
> inserts can slowly push out and often crack the end of the pipe in the
> process. This happens sight unseen, until the hose pops off suddenly or
> at least starts to leak. I have seen it happen even with new VW
> replacements just a couple years after they were installed.
>
> The plastic pipes are not sold any longer. Even while they were still in
> the VW parts chain people started making stainless replacements.
>
> Mark
>
>
>
> Dave Mcneely wrote:
>
>> ---- Jay Brown<badkarma@TTLC.NET>  wrote:
>>
>>> How about internal ceramic coating as a barrier against galvanic
>>> corrosion?
>>> If it's tough enough to survive inside the engine or exhaust pipes, the
>>> coolant system should be a walk in the park by comparison.  A quick
>>> google
>>> search pulled up these guys
>>> http://www.classiccoatings.com/ceramic.html#internal.   Seriously
>>> though, I
>>> think we are looking for things to obsess about at this point.  I will
>>> change my coolant every couple years and hope for the best.
>>>
>>
>> ".... resistant to chipping .... " means that it can chip.  I don't think
>> we want bits of glass in the cooling system.  I'm with those who say keep it
>> clean, that is, change the coolant regularly.  That said, I've not had a
>> problem with the plastic pipes on my '91 Volkswagen Vanagon GL Campmobile.
>>  What again is the reason for replacing those with stainless steel (other
>> than the "cool" factor, which seems odd since only the owner will know about
>> them)?  My plastic ones have certainly never leaked.  Of course, older
>> models had steel pipes, which probably corroded.
>>
>> DMC
>>
>>