OK, I can totally understand repairing these old tanks when you could
not get new ones.  It was a matter of necessity to keep the vans on the
road.  However when new tanks are available I believe it is a big
mistake to patch 30 year old expansion tanks and not be asking for
disaster.  It is false economy in my opinion.  If you factor out the
value of your time and the materials to make the repair you save $150 by
not buying a new tank.  I understand money is tight, etc.  However you
are risking the life of your motor which would cost several thousand
dollars to repair or replace if this tank fails.  It is very cheap
insurance in comparison.

I get at least one call a week.  Here is the gist of the call.  My
engine is toasted.  It happened because some old piece of plastic or
rubber in the cooling system failed while I was in heavy traffic or
going over a bridge and I just couldn't stop.  Now how much does it cost
to get my van back on the road?  Over $3k!  If I had only known that I
would have replaced my coolant system parts when I had the chance (tears
and sobbing).

I am frankly tired of hearing this sad tale of woe over and over.  That
is one of the reasons that when VW came here the summer before last one
of the parts on the top of my list for them to reproduce was the 82
Diesel Vanagon expansion tank.  I know that these are almost all super
old and the plastic can only last so long.  It has lasted 30 years!
That is way longer than it should have.  It is past time to retire it
and install a new one.  If it was a person it would have retired ten
years ago with a pension!  It owes you nothing!

Please, do the smart thing and replace these parts before they fail.  I
am just trying to help you out.

--
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
Phone: 856-327-4936
Fax: 856-327-2242

On 11/18/2011 9:56 PM, Frank Lee wrote:
> OK so I have the closest part to Yellow Sub's original 82' diesel coolant
> expansion tank.
> I've learned I  must improvise a mounting bracket,  hose connections, and a
> plug.
>
> Or patch the hairline crack in the old tank..
>
> Can anyone paint me see details on how to do this.
>
> Frank
>