Split main coolant pipe
Moderators: User administrators, Moderators
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 49
- Joined: 03 Oct 2014, 21:00
- 80-90 Mem No: 13974
- Location: Chessington
Split main coolant pipe
I have just found a hairline split in one of the main coolant pipes. When the system is under pressure there is a considerable leak and the coolent temperature light is flashing.
We're due away in a few days and I wanted to check views on a temporary fix for a few weeks before replacing it.
The split is right at the point where the pipe enters the engine bay and joins the flexible hose.
I think it might be possible to push the hose beyond the split and re tighten the clamp over the pipe. Do people think this would be likely to hold or would it just extend the split further up the pipe?
Secondly (and probably combined with the first option), I wondered whether attempting to seal the split up with waterprrof plastic epoxy would seal up the system at least temporarily.
Any thoughts gratefully received!
Cheers
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
We're due away in a few days and I wanted to check views on a temporary fix for a few weeks before replacing it.
The split is right at the point where the pipe enters the engine bay and joins the flexible hose.
I think it might be possible to push the hose beyond the split and re tighten the clamp over the pipe. Do people think this would be likely to hold or would it just extend the split further up the pipe?
Secondly (and probably combined with the first option), I wondered whether attempting to seal the split up with waterprrof plastic epoxy would seal up the system at least temporarily.
Any thoughts gratefully received!
Cheers
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
1985 1.9DG (78ps) with a hightop
-
- Trader
- Posts: 2593
- Joined: 27 May 2009, 18:56
- 80-90 Mem No: 16628
- Location: hayling island
Re: Split main coolant pipe
Epoxy almost certainly won’t work, but moving the pipe past the split will
- 937carrera
- Registered user
- Posts: 3599
- Joined: 05 Apr 2015, 19:29
- 80-90 Mem No: 16333
- Location: N Yorks.
Re: Split main coolant pipe
You can get decent results with chemical metal - I have repaired a cylinder head on a compressor this way, so let's call that 7+ bar, compared to a max 1.5 bar in a coolant system.
As the temperature you are dealing with is low, the fast setting variety should be up to the job - I suggest that you build it up around the whole diameter of the pipe
As the temperature you are dealing with is low, the fast setting variety should be up to the job - I suggest that you build it up around the whole diameter of the pipe
1981 RHD 2.0 Aircooled Leisuredrive project, CU engine
1990 RHD 1.9 Auto Sleeper with DF/DG engine
1990 RHD 1.9 Auto Sleeper with DF/DG engine
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 642
- Joined: 02 Jul 2012, 07:12
- 80-90 Mem No: 13853
- Location: Millom Cumbria
Re: Split main coolant pipe
An AA chappie did mine with epoxy which got me home & then on to France & Belgium for a week without any problem. He would not guarantee how long it would last but said he had seen repairs like that last for years.
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 49
- Joined: 03 Oct 2014, 21:00
- 80-90 Mem No: 13974
- Location: Chessington
Re: Split main coolant pipe
You are quite right. Epoxy bubbled and split when the van made it up to temperature. I can't seem to move the pipe far enough in to cover the split.davidoft1 wrote:Epoxy almost certainly won’t work, but moving the pipe past the split will
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
1985 1.9DG (78ps) with a hightop
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 49
- Joined: 03 Oct 2014, 21:00
- 80-90 Mem No: 13974
- Location: Chessington
Re: Split main coolant pipe
I should have said in the OP I have plastic pipes. Would the chemical metal still work?937carrera wrote:You can get decent results with chemical metal - I have repaired a cylinder head on a compressor this way, so let's call that 7+ bar, compared to a max 1.5 bar in a coolant system.
As the temperature you are dealing with is low, the fast setting variety should be up to the job - I suggest that you build it up around the whole diameter of the pipe
I also wondered about high temperature silicone, any thoughts?
Much appreciated!
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
1985 1.9DG (78ps) with a hightop
- 937carrera
- Registered user
- Posts: 3599
- Joined: 05 Apr 2015, 19:29
- 80-90 Mem No: 16333
- Location: N Yorks.
Re: Split main coolant pipe
RTV silicone is a gasket / sealant, not a material.
It might still work, especially if you are ensuring the chemical metal is around the full circumference. Roughen the outer surface to give it the best chance to bond. THE 24hr set stuff is good to about 450 F, fast setting about 300 IIRC
It might still work, especially if you are ensuring the chemical metal is around the full circumference. Roughen the outer surface to give it the best chance to bond. THE 24hr set stuff is good to about 450 F, fast setting about 300 IIRC
1981 RHD 2.0 Aircooled Leisuredrive project, CU engine
1990 RHD 1.9 Auto Sleeper with DF/DG engine
1990 RHD 1.9 Auto Sleeper with DF/DG engine
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 1673
- Joined: 12 Oct 2005, 11:14
- 80-90 Mem No: 1342
- Location: Wolverhampton.
Re: Split main coolant pipe
Can you cut the pipe back and replace the damaged bit, all you need is a short length of metal pipe the same diameter as the existing plastic, a short piece of rubber pipe and 4 hose clips.
I did this on mine for years until I swapped them out for stainless.
I did this on mine for years until I swapped them out for stainless.
2.1 DJ running on carb and LPG.
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 49
- Joined: 03 Oct 2014, 21:00
- 80-90 Mem No: 13974
- Location: Chessington
Re: Split main coolant pipe
I've bitten the bullet in the end and just gone for the stainless. Seems to have gone smoothly until attempting to bleed. Have a considerable leak at the point where the feeder pipe meets the rubber hoses in the engine bay.shepster wrote:Can you cut the pipe back and replace the damaged bit, all you need is a short length of metal pipe the same diameter as the existing plastic, a short piece of rubber pipe and 4 hose clips.
I did this on mine for years until I swapped them out for stainless.
Is it me or do the stainless pipes seem a lot smaller diameter than the plastic ones?
I guess I just need to get the stainless pipe a bit further in and clamp better....
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
1985 1.9DG (78ps) with a hightop
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 1673
- Joined: 12 Oct 2005, 11:14
- 80-90 Mem No: 1342
- Location: Wolverhampton.
Re: Split main coolant pipe
You've bought the correct ones I hope?
I'm pretty sure there are 2 different diameters, early metal are smaller than later plastic if I recall.
I'm pretty sure there are 2 different diameters, early metal are smaller than later plastic if I recall.
2.1 DJ running on carb and LPG.
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 49
- Joined: 03 Oct 2014, 21:00
- 80-90 Mem No: 13974
- Location: Chessington
Re: Split main coolant pipe
Sorry just made it back up to the van after a couple of weeks. Yes I believe so but with it being an '85 van occasionally there appear to be late parts. I'm getting a good seal on the LH pipe but not the RH. The RH hose (shorter turn at the bottom) doesn't appear to have an internal lip whereas the LH one does. Does it sound like I have a mixture of hoses. Do the early hoses have the internal lip?shepster wrote:You've bought the correct ones I hope?
I'm pretty sure there are 2 different diameters, early metal are smaller than later plastic if I recall.
Thanks again
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
1985 1.9DG (78ps) with a hightop
-
- Registered user
- Posts: 49
- Joined: 03 Oct 2014, 21:00
- 80-90 Mem No: 13974
- Location: Chessington
Re: Split main coolant pipe
This is the hose that doesn't appear to have the lip inside prevent a good seal:
https://www.brickwerks.co.uk/t3-parts/e ... right.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Have asked Brickwerks if this version does or not
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
https://www.brickwerks.co.uk/t3-parts/e ... right.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Have asked Brickwerks if this version does or not
Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk
1985 1.9DG (78ps) with a hightop