coolant hose question, marginal Audi content

[Kneale Brownson]

I "think" the OEM German hose clamps have a 6mm steel screw head.  All the
ones I've replaced on my Audis have had that size.  You're not in a
rustbelt type setting, but I've found the OEM clamps to corrode so the
screw wouldn't work smoothly, so I get the all-stainless nonperforated
clamps sold at West Marien.  They have 7mm stainless screw heads.  There's
no "gasket" in any Audi coolant hose I've removed, and I've replaced all
the coolant hoses in some cars.  Unless he's had a problem where a bad head
gasket or coolant reservoir cap is allowing the  cooling system to become
overpressurized, he shouldn't have to worry about hoses as long as the
clamps are doing their job without cutting through the hoses.  He probably
would be wise to carry a roll of that epoxy hose tape that activates and
seals against itself after being stretched.  I've used  the Edlebrock Power
Bond version to plug a couple leaks in the past.  


At 12:54 PM 7/23/2006 -0600, DeWitt Harrison wrote:
>My son is about to drive his 1.8T 1999 Passat - similar
>platform as same vintage A4, yes? - from L.A. to
>Denver. He had some gas station guy look at the belts
>and hoses. Gas station guy says, based on orange
>colored, dried coolant residue around a few of the radiator
>hose ends that hoses and hose 'gaskets' need to be
>changed.
>
>What's this radiator hose 'gasket' business? Makes no
>sense to me. Maybe my son misunderstood and the
>guy was talking about the gaskets at some aluminum
>hose flange or other? I'd just like an A4 knowledgeable
>person to verify that the hoses themselves do not
>have associated 'gaskets'. Just hose clamps. Btw,
>what tool is needed to tighten the clamps? 7mm hex?
>
>He managed to leave this until the last minute so
>he has no time to seek competent VW service. So far,
>my advice to him is to stop by a dealership on the way
>out of town and pick up a set of spare hoses to take
>with.
>
>Thanks for any counsel in this matter,
>
>DeWitt Harrison
>'88 5kcstq
>
>
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