Well, my car just got out of the shop from having both intake manifold
gaskets replaced. Fortunately, I found the problem only about 1 1/2 months
ago, so they haven't been leaking all that long. However, in the process of
removing the front intake manifold, the steel coolant line that runs from
the water pump, around the trans. side of the engine and to the firewall
(and I think to the heater core), must have been bent a bit and developed a
pin hole right in the bottom 90 degree corner where it turns to go toward
the back of the engine, right below the upper radiator hose inlet. This
line had a few rust spots on it where the paint is chipped off, plus the car
has nearly 300,000kms, so I cannot blame the person who repaired the
gaskets. I just wish it had leaked while it was in his shop and not after I
drove it 60kms to work and had to call a flatbed to get it home. I called
the dealership to get a price on this steel line (dealer item only), but the
parts clerk was not sure which line I was talking about. He said it could
only be one of two lines, and the most expensive was $150, which IMO, is
completely outrageous.

A link to a photo, the red arrows point to the line I'm talking about:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/clsharky/1652931270/

What I want to know is what this coolant line is called, so I can do an
internet parts lookup. I know I'll probably find it about 1/2 price online
of what the dealer wants. For now, the line is repaired with a piece of 5/8
ID heater hose with 4 hose clamps. In order to get it on, we had to cut the
pipe with a dremel tool. The fix is working ok, but I'm not sure how much
pressure that line has on it, and the rubber heater line is not far away
from the heat shield on the manifold. like maybe 1/4". It will probably
last for a while, but if I can find a replacement steel line for a better
price, I will replace it.

Any help in naming this line is greatly appreciated.
Sharky

I went into the local Chevrolet dealership this morning where I got a good
look at the coolant line on their parts computer. The line is called the
thermal bypass pipe and it is $96.50 dealer price. There is also another
part listed above the printout he gave me, which is an o-ring seal for the
compression fitting where it connects at the firewall. It is $17, which
sounds outrageous for an o-ring, unless it is something special.

So now, I am searching online for a better price on both of these parts.
Any links to specialty shops or prices that would be significantly cheaper
than the dealer would be great. The rubber hose fix seems to be working ok
as I drove the car into town this morning and once it got up to normal
temperature, there were no signs of leaks. I'm still a bit leary of the
heat melting the heater line because I'm not sure how much heat those hoses
will withstand. I'm sure the manifold puts out more heat, even with the
heat shield, than the coolant would be.

Thanks again for any help.
Sharky

Leave it.... its not worth the hassel to replace it.
My father had a 89 Astro, same setup, a pipe or a coolant line. It leaked,
he cut the bad parts, put some hose there, and it never leaked. He got rid
of it several yrs later.

Micheal


"Sharky" <cl_8ball (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote

"Sharky" <cl_8ball (AT) hotmail (DOT) com> wrote in
news:mQlSi.45369$%B2.20666@edtnps82:

at 150000 miles (approx) i would leave the patch in place and it will
probably outlast the car.........if you notice it deteriorating just
replace it again. the double clamps are an excellant idea for this
application as there is no barb on the heater pipe..'o' ring
application?? the many i have been into have an 'o' ring where it starts
out at the water pump and is clamped to the water pump with an small
machine screw. and after snaking in front of the engine and turning
rearward it bolts to the lower throttle body bolt before terminating at a
heater hose with a spring clamp.....sounds like you did exactly what i
would have on an old car.............