Squished pipe

[tweetdriver63]

I was checking the underside of the Stig yesterday while getting the oil changed (I'm still impressed that my mech has no trouble getting the oil filter in and out without jacking up the front right corner). I found this at the front:

CIMG0014.jpg

It's difficult to see in the picture, but the pipe must have slipped in its clamp and then gotten pinched between the corner of the chasis support thing, and some sort of bump. I think it's a coolant pipe, and I don't have any unusual behavior in the cooling system, so coolant must still be circulating through it, and there's no leak.

Is it OK to wait until the next time I have the coolant serviced to replace/repair the pipe? Also, is this a hard to find part?

[tigerdog]

Yep, it's a coolant pipe all right. I have one just like it. It's difficult to tell if your pipe is merely dented or completely schmooshed closed. The pipe is part of the electric coolant pump circuit that's activated if the car is shut off while hot. If it's completely closed, you may not circulate coolant through your turbo during cool-down as the system is designed to do. As it's summertime in Mississippi, you might have cause for concern. If you are considering Samco hoses at some point, the kit eliminates this pipe completely. It's replaced by the giant one-piece thing on the right that looks like a Dr. Seuss band instrument.

[dapinky]

Also, is this a hard to find part?

For me it's quite easy - I've got 2 of them on the workbench

Being sensible for a while, if the pipe isn't totally squashed, then I'd live with it for a bit, but check the routing isn't going to make it any worse, and keep an eye on the temp guage.

Has it always been like that, or has it recently happened?

As quoted above, the Samco version does away with the metal bit, so I dare say there are a few of the old ones knocking around (including my two!).

For a temporary fix (if needed), then a couple of hose connectors and a length of standard rubber hose will keep you going - just replace the metal bit - or alternatively, cut the squashed bit out and replace with a short length of rubber hose pushed over the metal bits and secured with hose clamps.

If you want an OEM part, then I don't know what sort of money they would cost new - but for the price of a parcel across the pond you're welcome to one of my old ones - either just the metal bit, or the rubber bits aswell - just let me know if you can't get something sorted locally for a sensible price.

[The Ref]

I am flying out to micky mouse land on Sunday if you can get the part to me Dave and tweetdriver63 can come and pick it up i am willing to put it in my bag.


billy

[dapinky]

Billy,

Thanks for the offer, and it could be an option, but Chris is a few states away from Disney, so it would need posting internally in USA.

Looking at Royal Mail website, the postage is just over £12 for an airmail packet up to 1Kg from here to there, so by the time I send it to you, and then it gets sent on the other side, I cant really see that it's worth the hassle of getting to a Post Office instead of riding Big Thunder Mountain, just to save a fiver!

Anyway, I'll fit in with whatever is required (If the part is even required!).

[tweetdriver63]

I've had the car almost two years, and I think that pipe has always been squished like that. I have been wondering recently, because of threads I've read, about the electric pump. It seems that I should at least sometimes hear it running after I turn off the engine, but I have never heard it. This sounds like a bad thing. Could the squished pipe somehow be causing the pump not to come on?

[Specky]

You will only hear the pump if your car is overheating...

The test I do is to leave the engine running till the fans cut in, switch off the engine straight away,
open the hood, place hand quickly on the pump, you'll feel it vibrating and possibly hear it. (It's quite quiet)

Run back round start the engine

Take for drive, cool the old girl down.

TTFN