Bongo Fury

Hi
I have just noticed that my coolant bleed pipe has been rubbing on the alternator mounting bracket and has worn a slight flat spot on it . Now I can remember reading a thread some time ago about this happening but a search has failed to find it. So if I cut the pipe shorter and put it back on will it still be long enough and will I need to bleed the cooling system?
Thanks
Phil

Hi Phil, that is exactly what happened to me, I moved the bleed pipe because it was rubbing but did'nt check the condition of it. The fact that I had moved it from the position that it had been in for thousands of k's probably put stress on the pipe exactly where it was weakened causing it to split. It may have been ok if I'd left it where it was, but it would always have been a potential problem. So personally, I'd be inclined to cut it back a couple of inches to put my mind at rest. If its only a slight flat , you could move it out of the way , but keep a regular check on it.
If you do cut it back, just unplug the other end of the pipe when you've done it, until the coolant comes out(there should'nt be much, maybe only a cupfull), plug the pipe, and check the level in the header tank, and top if needed. I dont think you'd need to go through the whole rigmarole of bleeding the cooling system, unless any other peeps think otherwise!

Steve

I would replace the bleeder pipe and not shorten it, you need the length when the coolant needs replacing(every 2 years)

Agree with Peter. I checked mine last week, found evidence of rubbing and a flat spot but decided it wasnt life threatening and have tied it up out of harms way. But the point where it had occurred was a fair way along the pipe and shortening it would leave little more that a stub - no use to anyone. I cant help but feel that a suitable latex type adhesive and rubberised bandage (bit like a bicycle puncture repair job) would be all that was needed to restore peace of mind if you didnt want to fit a new pipe. Put the money saved towards a coolant loss detector when haydn callow has got it all sorted.

Mike seemed to sum it up there. Well done for catching it before it became a problem. I wouldn't shorten it at all but if it looks too far gone just cut out the damaged bit and use a piece of copper pipe and two jubilee clips.

Hi
Thanks for the advice I think I’m going to shorten the pipe as a temporarily fix and replace the hole pipe when I replace the coolant. This is next on my things to do list as soon as I feel brave enough to tackle bleeding the system.
Thanks
Phil

Nooooo! Take smartmonkeys advice. No more work but you wont have to replace the pipe when you come to do your cos it will work just like it always did.

C'mon, you know it makes sense

PS - do you have to re-bleed the system in any case once you cut the coolant pipe, or can you get away with it?