Rusting coolant pipe

[Border T]

Hello all, does anyone have any experience of rusting steel coolant pipes ? Ive found rust on the underside of my bongos steel pipes and wonder wether this is normal or will require replacing when i do my next coolant change.Finally does the rust start from inside the pipe or is it just salt damage which can be cleaned off ??? Thanks everyone

[Dabs]

A lot of attention is given to the hoses on the Forum and not many ever seem to mention the steel pipework.I know from experience that they do rust/deteriate as I had a very small hole in one above the rear heater matrix,sorted now (it was 3 yrs ago) but its just as important to keep nicks on the steel pipes as well as the hoses!!I have not had another one since but its better to check regularly!!

good point BorderT

Dabs

[francophile1947]

It's a fairly common problem and causes lots of leaks - plenty about it on here if you do a search

[Border T]

Thanks for the replies ,i guess ill just keep an eye on the pipe over next months for any leaks before changing it..

[Alacrity]

I had two leak at different times on my last Bongo - took them off & bead blasted them & they ended up looking like lace curtains, took a bit of sorting.

[missfixit70]

They rust from the inside, if they're showing on the outside, I'd want them at least checked asap, or they could let go catastrophically at any moment, have you got a low coolant or hi temp alarm fitted?

[wonkanoby]

main pipe drivers side of mine leaked...bodged it with a bike inner tube and jubilee

only for 2 days later for it to leak 6 inches further back

bloody expensive bit of pipe

the other side i think i will ask my welder mate to make me one

[Aunt Trumpet]

I changed my offside coolant pipe back in the summer, it was initially just weeping at the join with the hoses that go into the rear matrix but as soon as I touched it with my finger I disturbed a bit of rust and it poured out!. i bought a whole new pipe from Bongobits in Plymouth for £40 and fitted it myself. It was a bit fiddly as you need to wiggle it around other pipework and brackets to get it out but it wasn't too bad, fairly easy for the DIY mechanic.

Keep an eye on it though as you don't want it to completely fail as your going along, in fact, a friend of mine across the road has a Bongo and his pipe doesn't look too clever either so I think its a fairly common problem.

[Border T]

Thanks again everyone, ive decided to check over all steel pipes and order replacements where rust is found.The coolant is due for a change so might as well do it all at once.