The metal heater lines that supply the rear heater are leaking behind the engine. It seems to be under the alternator area (where I cannot see!)

Question: Can I cut out the bad section and clamp on heater hose or do I need to have a flange or lip at the end of the pipe? I am afraid hose clamp will not be good enough on a pipe with no ring around the edge.

Do I have to remove the intake to take out the pipe system?

I appreciate any options you may suggest.

I am considering just bypassing the whole system with copper lines.

Ideas? Concerns?

 

I had this problem with an old tempo before. If you have a small pipe cutter(little $5 c shaped sucker), and you can get your hands in to maneuver things around, then you should be able to do it. The pressure isn't really high enough to need a flare, so you can get away with hose clamps.

 

I fixed my metal lines last night. I cut the lines behind the engine and spliced in copper tubing with 5/8 rubber hose (2 clamps per side of connection).

I found good articles here:
http://forum.chryslerminivan.net/sho...ghlight=heater

 

That's exactly what I did with my tempo.