Not getting a proper seal...

[morebeanz]

Hi All

I recently replaced the cooling hoses on my Cerb with (ACT) silicon jobbies. I've used the relevant jubilee clips that came with the pack, but I cannot get a good seal on the hoses that attach to the Y pipe underneath the expansion tank.

The clips are done up to "bd tight" and have actually run out of track to shorten any further, and I have replaced the Y piece itself with a brass one to prevent cracking.

I'll probably try and find some smaller size clips this weekend, but does anyone have any thoughts on what else I could do?

Thanks

[shoggyraminator]

If the pipes are tight on (not sure because your comments about the clip), then I would suggest the Y pipe may be split/burst as others have found.

[morebeanz]

I replaced the Y pipe as part of the process, for an uprated brass one which I have checked against the original.

To be honest the pipes themselves seemed loose on the Y piece to start with, but they're definitely the correct size (9.5mm) as they fit the water rails perfectly. I just can't seem to tighten the clips sufficiently.

I guess I'll just have to get even smaller clips...

[Mr Completely]

Hi Ian,

have done exactly the same thing earlier this year. Didn't get the brass 'Y' piece in time for the re-construction and road test. I used a plastic 'T' piece from a gardening centre. The whole thing worked without a hitch.
You have two options as far as I can see:
1) test the 'Y' piece for leaks when under temperature/pressure.
2) Eat more Spinach to achieve Popeye-like forearms, you pouff



Good Luck

p.s. I did all my clips up with a rachet hex, rather than a screwdriver......

Edited by Mr Completely on Friday 2nd July 18:47

[DanTVR]

I'd try smaller clips, although when you say its not a good fit, do you can still turn the pipe on the Y piece, or that its leaking?

If you cant find the right size I have loads of clips here you can have. I'm only local so could drop some off. Let us know

Dan

[morebeanz]

Thanks for the offer, Dan, very kind. I'm going to get a ratchet whotsit as Paul suggested and give it another go.

The pipes are firm on the Y piece, but still not quite sealed. At least I no longer get a constant drip, just a loss of fluid when under pressure.

[Byker28i]

Mr Completely said:

Hi Ian,

have done exactly the same thing earlier this year. Didn't get the brass 'Y' piece in time for the re-construction and road test. I used a plastic 'T' piece from a gardening centre. The whole thing worked without a hitch.

Just a word of warning. I once bought a car where the cooling system had been repaired with a domestic plumbing plastic piece instead of the proper metal piece. It lasted about 100 miles until it melted/deformed with the heat of the water, which was then dumped over about 1/2 mile of the motorway. From motorway speed to instant overheat, blown headgasket and warped heads in about 10 secs.

[jammy_basturd]

The advice I was given when I got my ACT silicon hoses a while back was that the jubilee clips aren't of the very best quality and if they are done up very very tight then they can just strip the thread.

So maybe just try another (good quality) jubilee clip.

[high52kojak]

I used a ratchet on the clips that came with my silicon hose set, I striped quite a few threads, I don't think are the best quality, use proper 'Jubilee' clips instead.
Also a squirt of WD40 on the inside of pipe or on 'Y' piece or whatever helps the seal, it pulls the silicon tight equally around the pipe.

[morebeanz]

Thanks for the tips guys, guess what my morning's work is!

[FarmyardPants]

morebeanz said:

To be honest the pipes themselves seemed loose on the Y piece to start with

I think this is the problem. If the pipe is loose on the fitting then no amount of tightening a jubilee clip will work IMO. If it fits the water rails then I would try to source a larger Y piece.

[Mad Mark]

I went to a local car shop and showed them my old 'Y' piece. They had a perfect fit 'T' piece which is working perfectly! I bought two incase it cracked like the old one did.

A temporary fix could be to use some gasket sealant in there too until you get a better fitting piece!!

[morebeanz]

FarmyardPants said:

morebeanz said:

To be honest the pipes themselves seemed loose on the Y piece to start with

I think this is the problem. If the pipe is loose on the fitting then no amount of tightening a jubilee clip will work IMO. If it fits the water rails then I would try to source a larger Y piece.

I know you're right there really, Rog, but both the original plastic Y piece and the replacement brass one were sourced through TVR parts and the hoses are the same size (internally) as the originals. I have to assume that the old ones would have been somewhat slack as well!

[FarmyardPants]

TVR part out of spec shocker!