I blew a radiator hose a few days back. I was quite happy at the time, since
it happened a couple days before the start of a long trip, and it solved my
mysterious coolant leak, which I had thought was the water pump (new).

But the seemingly simple swap-out turn into a nightmare.........so here's a
tip to put away in the back of your brain.

The hose that busted was the one that leaves the bottom right (as you face
the engine) of the expansion tank and goes into the top of the water pump.
As early model owners will see, it doesn't directly leave the tank, but
rather goes through a plastic thinga-ma-bob, which is call a valve, part #
025 121 438.  Well, that replacement hose that I got (made in Germany)
doesn't even come close to an easy fit over the plastic valve.  I broke mine
trying!!!  The valve is a dealer only part, predominantly, hence my
nightmare.

Take it from me, remove the whole valve assembly.  That involves a mess,
since the tank and such are drained in the process. ( I tried to slap my new
hose on without losing much coolant.)  Get a film canister to stretch out
your new hose, and then wipe a thin film of greas on the valve and the
inside of the hose.  even then, it's a TIGHT fit!

Who knows, maybe I got a bad one.

Brian Cochran
84 westy
seattle.......er......Bridgeport, CA  ($2.48 gal for gas)

PS pmail me, since I'm not receiving any list stuff for a spell)

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