Cooling Hose Kit (2WD/Syncro) [Vanagon]

Cooling Hose Kit (2WD/Syncro) [Vanagon]This is a complete cooling hose replacement kit for your waterboxer. Fits: 1986 91 2WD 2100cc waterboxer with manual or automatic trans 1986 91 4WD Syncro 2100cc waterboxer 1983 85 1900cc waterboxer cooling systems that have been updated with our 2. 1 Cooling System Conversion Kit. Note: In most cases, this hose kit is a direct replacement, and installation is simply the reverse of removal. For that reason, we do not provide full step by step

This is a complete cooling hose replacement kit for your waterboxer.

Fits: 
• 1986-91 2WD 2100cc waterboxer with manual or automatic trans
• 1986-91 4WD Syncro 2100cc waterboxer
• 1983-85 1900cc waterboxer cooling systems that have been updated with our 2.1 Cooling System Conversion Kit.

Note: In most cases, this hose kit is a direct replacement, and installation is simply the reverse of removal. For that reason, we do not provide full step-by-step instructions. We recommend reviewing our Installation Tips PDF and having your Bentley shop manual on hand during the process. If you're unsure or prefer not to DIY, we suggest having the kit installed by a professional to ensure proper fit and function.

Important Fit Notes

Coolant Elbow: This kit includes our Aluminum Coolant Elbow and Hose Kit instead of the failure-prone 025-121-058M rubber "peace pipe" hose.

2WD Coolant Junction: Our 2WD hose kit is designed to work only with the coolant junction part number 251-121-438B. This is because the -130B hose, which mates to this junction from the right cylinder head, has a longer sweep and is more reliable and resistant to damage from engine vibration than the -130A hose, which mates to the other two junction options (-438 and -438A). Both of these other junctions have the input nipple positioned inboard of the location of the -438B junction (see additional photo for a visual representation of this difference). If your junction does not look exactly like the one pictured above, or if the junction is old or of unknown age, you must purchase a new 251-121-438B junction, or better yet, upgrade to no-holds-barred GoWesty design GVW-251-121-438-UNI

Coolant Pipes: This cooling hose kit is designed to work with either the original plastic coolant pipes that run front to rear or the GoWesty stainless steel coolant pipes. If your Vanagon still has the original plastic pipes, we strongly recommend replacing them with a set of our stainless steel pipes. If you decide to ignore that very sound advice, you should definitely add one of our pipe repair kits. If you are currently running our stainless steel pipes, you will need to modify one of the hoses in this kit (025-121-062E). This is because our stainless steel pipes include one of the bends contained on this hose. The modification is simple and clearly evident: Just cut off the unnecessary bend in the hose and proceed with installation.

Automatic Transmission Cooler: This cooling hose kit is designed to eliminate the plumbing between the cooling system and the original coolant/oil cooler mounted on the front of the transaxle. If your Vanagon has an automatic transmission, it was fitted with this cooler to which coolant is currently plumbed. Our kit DOES NOT support this stock cooler these coolers are notorious for failing internally, thus allowing coolant into the transmission and oil into the cooling system, which will ruin both your transmission and every single hose in your cooling system. Our VERY STRONG recommendation is to install our air/oil external cooler kit, which will eliminate this possible failure. NOTE: In a pinch, you can drive your vehicle without plumbing to the original coolant/oil cooler. However, we do not recommend driving your vehicle for extended periods, while heavily-loaded, or up major grades, as that will adversely affect the life of your transmission. However, it is drivable until you can get the proper, highly-recommended GoWesty external air/oil cooler installed.

Bleeding Your Cooling System: We now offer a simple tool to bleed your cooling system, which you'll need to do after all of these hoses are installed and coolant is added back into the system. Please see our Cooling System Pressurization Pump Kit. 

PDF Instructions

2.1 Cooling Hose Kit Installation Tips

Aluminum Coolant Elbow and Hose Replacement Kit