I noticed the other day the metal coolant lines that ru to the rear heater core on my '96 voyager are really corroded, to the point they look about to burst. The lines also look really long and hard to get out.
Is there any reason I couldn't just cut out the bad part and splice in a length of rubber heater hose with some hose clamps?
Thanks for any advice.
dizzyD
11-07-2007, 10:50 AM
It's Ok to replace the heater lines with rubber reinforced hose. Just make sure the lines are supported.
Rick99
11-07-2007, 11:41 AM
It's Ok to replace the heater lines with rubber reinforced hose. Just make sure the lines are supported.
That was my thought too-- you wouldn't want them hanging down and getting caught or abraded on anything.
dizzyD
11-07-2007, 12:26 PM
When you run hot water thru it, it will stretch, beside getting caught up on something while driving.
XDGT03
11-07-2007, 04:48 PM
I don't have rear heat so I don't know how long the metal tubes are. If they are more than 3' long then I would look to replace the metal with metal tube (or copper maybe) and splice the new metal in with rubber hose.
machjeff
11-08-2007, 01:00 PM
I had another look last night. From the front to the rear the lines are in 2 pieces, and they clamp together right behind the subframe. The front portion snakes all around the motor and exhaust, and all of it looks to have some corrosion. To keep this job simple for now I'm just going to cut out about 6" of one of the lines where there is dampness coming through.
machjeff
11-12-2007, 10:47 AM
I cut out what I thought was the worst 4" of the line and replaced it with rubber. Once I stared it up coolant was spraying everywhere. I gues when i started moving the lines I loosened up some other rust and expposed a hole in the coolant line right behind the motor. I had to cut the lines to snake them out from behind the engine (not to mention taking off the intake boots and the whole cowl/wiper assembly). I saved the first part of the lines where the 'Y's are to go to the two heaters, and then ran 3' of rubber hose to where I could tie into the rear part of the lines. I also made a make-shift heat sheild with some wire loom and aluminum duct-tape for where the hoses are near the exhaust. We'll see how it works out.
If you've ever got your engine or transmission out, check and change those lines. Mine were rusted everywhere, and they would be a lot easier to change if you had more room in there.
hamiltonfighter
12-14-2007, 01:08 AM
The dealer wants $560 to replace these lines on a 2001.
