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Assembling the new hose and "T" adapters Remember which came from where when you pull them out of the van. Mark them and build them one at a time to make sure you are going to spend next time. I worked on the kitchen table (wife is very tolerant) to cut the hoses and assembly the new "T" replacements. Thread the pipe into the blocks with Teflon tape to prevent thread leaks. Lay the "T" adapter approximately over top of the old plastic "Y" adapter and duplicate the hose length. You should have a fairly close model to the old assemblies...it doesn't have to be exact...in fact the "T" shape in some cases made it easier to end up where it needed to connect. But you WILL need the corrugated plastic that covers the hoses...it helps bend your new hoses without kinking them. Be sure to Label the new "T" assembly the same as the label you put on the "Y" assembly before removing it. It should say vertical or horizontal. Also the ordinary hose clamp goes on each hose where it connects to your assembled brass pipe. The factory clamps are for hose ends that connect to the vehicle.
Assembling the new hose and "T" adapters Remember which came from where when you pull them out of the van. Mark them and build them one at a time to make sure you are going to spend next time. I worked on the kitchen table (wife is very tolerant) to cut the hoses and assembly the new "T" replacements. Thread the pipe into the blocks with Teflon tape to prevent thread leaks. Lay the "T" adapter approximately over top of the old plastic "Y" adapter and duplicate the hose length. You should have a fairly close model to the old assemblies...it doesn't have to be exact...in fact the "T" shape in some cases made it easier to end up where it needed to connect. But you WILL need the corrugated plastic that covers the hoses...it helps bend your new hoses without kinking them. Be sure to Label the new "T" assembly the same as the label you put on the "Y" assembly before removing it. It should say vertical or horizontal. Also the ordinary hose clamp goes on each hose where it connects to your assembled brass pipe. The factory clamps are for hose ends that connect to the vehicle.
0 2013/01/17 16:28:25
Getting the hoses off Put some kind of sled or garbage can lid under the engine in the back to catch any coolant. You will lose about 1/2 litre. Rember: 1) Label the Horizontal "Y" and the vertical "Y" with a twist tie or marker 2) You should already have a diagram and description of which hose goes where NOW you are ready to remove things. I thought it would be easy to pull the hose off. It's not. Basically after using the needle nose vice grips to slide the manufacture's clamps off the hose or over the hump in the tube...the hose still does not pull off. It's difficult to twist and pull (which is the correct thing) because there is little room even for a twist...and the hose has some corrugated coating (don't cut that) which keeps it from kinking...but also stops you from gripping the hose. Just cut it. A utility knife cut it from the end of the hose to past the hump and then a screwdriver to pry the rubber open. Don't damage the tubing on the engine or van wall by "bending". Not recommended way to get the hose off. Even after cutting it's pretty hard.
Getting the hoses off Put some kind of sled or garbage can lid under the engine in the back to catch any coolant. You will lose about 1/2 litre. Rember: 1) Label the Horizontal "Y" and the vertical "Y" with a twist tie or marker 2) You should already have a diagram and description of which hose goes where NOW you are ready to remove things. I thought it would be easy to pull the hose off. It's not. Basically after using the needle nose vice grips to slide the manufacture's clamps off the hose or over the hump in the tube...the hose still does not pull off. It's difficult to twist and pull (which is the correct thing) because there is little room even for a twist...and the hose has some corrugated coating (don't cut that) which keeps it from kinking...but also stops you from gripping the hose. Just cut it. A utility knife cut it from the end of the hose to past the hump and then a screwdriver to pry the rubber open. Don't damage the tubing on the engine or van wall by "bending". Not recommended way to get the hose off. Even after cutting it's pretty hard.
0 2013/01/17 16:28:25
The notes you wrote down about which one connects where is going to be needed. As well, when you duplicated the old assemblies you have them marked which is which. I found it much easier to have the factory hose clamps already on the hose end. Then I use the vise grips to hold it open while wiggling the hose over the van connector...which ever one. It should slide on fairly easy...in fact it made me worry. However, with the hose clamp in place...it did not leak. I topped up my coolant resevoir to the line that says max and then started the engine with all the heaters on. It still did quite a bit of vapour and smoke...but it was burning off the previously leaked coolant. I used a flashlight to make sure it wasn't coming from a hose. Then I revved the engine slightly higher for a bit to ensure pressure. Still no leaks so I jumped in and took it on the road. I'm probably going to take a garden hose to the inside behind the engine rather than wait for any accumulated coolant to burn off. I don't like the smell and it probably isn't healthy. I promise to post something if a leak develops or I run into other trouble related. tomhanrath@hotmail.com if you have questions...a read it every 4 or 5 days or so.
The notes you wrote down about which one connects where is going to be needed. As well, when you duplicated the old assemblies you have them marked which is which. I found it much easier to have the factory hose clamps already on the hose end. Then I use the vise grips to hold it open while wiggling the hose over the van connector...which ever one. It should slide on fairly easy...in fact it made me worry. However, with the hose clamp in place...it did not leak. I topped up my coolant resevoir to the line that says max and then started the engine with all the heaters on. It still did quite a bit of vapour and smoke...but it was burning off the previously leaked coolant. I used a flashlight to make sure it wasn't coming from a hose. Then I revved the engine slightly higher for a bit to ensure pressure. Still no leaks so I jumped in and took it on the road. I'm probably going to take a garden hose to the inside behind the engine rather than wait for any accumulated coolant to burn off. I don't like the smell and it probably isn't healthy. I promise to post something if a leak develops or I run into other trouble related. tomhanrath@hotmail.com if you have questions...a read it every 4 or 5 days or so.
0 2013/01/17 16:28:25
Why didn't I get the part at the dealership? Well to be honest I do like to fix things myself but I'd much rather do it with my brother and working in his garage. I was tempted to "throw" money at the problem but there are a couple things to note: · An ordinary parts supplier is not likely to have this particular set of parts · The dealer ship does not sell the "Y" adapters OR even the "Y" adapter and attached rubber hoses. Instead they will sell you the whole assembly with the silly alluminum tubing which I had no plans on changing. And just the parts was $220. And I'm not real certain if that was one Y adapter or BOTH. · Yeah thats right. There are two plastic Y adapters, which I discovered when trying to replace one...and I cut the wrong hose. <grin> · If I bought the parts and paid the labour it would have come to the $500 estimate or more...and again I don't know if that is for one or both. · I probably might have still broke down and paid the money even for the changing labour too...if it wasn't that I'd be getting the same piece of crap the manufacturer put in...which is likely to crack again.
Why didn't I get the part at the dealership? Well to be honest I do like to fix things myself but I'd much rather do it with my brother and working in his garage. I was tempted to "throw" money at the problem but there are a couple things to note: · An ordinary parts supplier is not likely to have this particular set of parts · The dealer ship does not sell the "Y" adapters OR even the "Y" adapter and attached rubber hoses. Instead they will sell you the whole assembly with the silly alluminum tubing which I had no plans on changing. And just the parts was $220. And I'm not real certain if that was one Y adapter or BOTH. · Yeah thats right. There are two plastic Y adapters, which I discovered when trying to replace one...and I cut the wrong hose. <grin> · If I bought the parts and paid the labour it would have come to the $500 estimate or more...and again I don't know if that is for one or both. · I probably might have still broke down and paid the money even for the changing labour too...if it wasn't that I'd be getting the same piece of crap the manufacturer put in...which is likely to crack again.
0 2013/01/17 16:22:46
01 Problem area
01 Problem area
0 2013/01/17 16:22:46
Where did I get the Parts? 3/4 Inch Heater Coolant Hose You need 6 feet of it. I got it at Canadian Tire. It's not obvious...it's in a plastic bag near some other automotive parts for flushing rads. I had to ask for it. Make sure it's 3/4 inch. For the Americans...I'm not sure where you go to get various car related things but it should be an easy find at a store where you buy automotive supplies. Brass Block and brass pipe for the "T" The brass blocks were the most difficult to find but wherever you look...THINK PLUMBING and NOT automotive. I got mine at a Home Hardware. Home Depot didn't have them...but I'm getting use to that. I usually go to Home Hardware first. Sorry...not sure what stores Americans have...Home Depot for sure...but not sure about Home Hardware. If you can't find exact just try to get something that doesn't corrode and can easily receive a 3/4 inch hose and can take 220 degrees Celsius with a bit of pressure. I know stainless is ok from other web searches. Buy the hose first! It's cheaper and you can bring it with you to try fittings. Ordinary Hose Clamps Just about anywhere hardware related. I'd also like to highlight the "needle nose Vice grips". You can't work with those manufacturer's hose clamps without them. Adjust them so that they lock the clamp open and then you can wiggle them around to slide them up or down the hose.
Where did I get the Parts? 3/4 Inch Heater Coolant Hose You need 6 feet of it. I got it at Canadian Tire. It's not obvious...it's in a plastic bag near some other automotive parts for flushing rads. I had to ask for it. Make sure it's 3/4 inch. For the Americans...I'm not sure where you go to get various car related things but it should be an easy find at a store where you buy automotive supplies. Brass Block and brass pipe for the "T" The brass blocks were the most difficult to find but wherever you look...THINK PLUMBING and NOT automotive. I got mine at a Home Hardware. Home Depot didn't have them...but I'm getting use to that. I usually go to Home Hardware first. Sorry...not sure what stores Americans have...Home Depot for sure...but not sure about Home Hardware. If you can't find exact just try to get something that doesn't corrode and can easily receive a 3/4 inch hose and can take 220 degrees Celsius with a bit of pressure. I know stainless is ok from other web searches. Buy the hose first! It's cheaper and you can bring it with you to try fittings. Ordinary Hose Clamps Just about anywhere hardware related. I'd also like to highlight the "needle nose Vice grips". You can't work with those manufacturer's hose clamps without them. Adjust them so that they lock the clamp open and then you can wiggle them around to slide them up or down the hose.
0 2013/01/17 16:22:46