I purchased one of these. Anyone installed one and can answer a few questions...? There is hose on one end of the draincock. I assume that will go onto the nipple of the aluminum pipe between front wheels and the disconnected heater hose will plug into the other end of the drain. 1. Will there be need to cut / shorten the heater hose before "splicing" in the drain? 2. Is this the "heater hose" that runs through the rocker channel front to rear of the car? Long hose...? I think the rocker hoses are the only hoses that might not be new in my car from work previous owner did. I am thinking it's not easy to thread a new hose and maybe involves removing fuel tanks to get to the entry point in the rear? Guessing that idea will turn this coolant flush job into something major? Thoughts? Im sure this will be mostly be answred once I get in there, I just like to have knowledge and a plan before I start..
1. You don't have to shorten it, but I would to keep the over all length the same. 2. No, the hose through the rocker panel goes up to the distribution valves so it's not the same hose you will be adding the drain cock to. The rocker hose replacement does require the tank to be moved out of the way, but it cannot be removed entirely without removing the suspension (total removal is not necessary). I would not replace the rocker panel hose unless it is degraded. Inspect the end where it attached to the rear bank cylinder head and go from there.
I have to respectfully disagree. Bill Brooks outlined a method for changing this hose and the brake booster hose without removing the gas tank. See the following post for details: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=229311&highlight=heater+hose+relocation+revisited. I followed Bill's instructions and was able to replace both the heater hose and brake booster hose simply by removing the driver's side rear wheel and wheel arch liner as well as the driver's side front wheel liner. Below is a shot of the old heater hose disconnected from the block with nylon rope fished through per Bill's instructions. See the link above for the step by step instructions. Image Unavailable, Please Login
I stand corrected. I just finished this job myself and will say that with the tank moved out of the way it is extremely easy, and requires no tugging or swearing at all. It probably varies by car, but on mine there was a metal strap that was wrapped around the heater and vacuum hoses behind the tank to hold them is position. I could not have bent this loose with the tank in position, and doubt I would be able to pull through it. That said, for someone just getting ready to attempt this it is certainly worth a try doing it without tank removal. I would just be prepared for the possibility that you might have to move it. Might as well do the fuel hoses too at that point.
Depends totally on the car. I have seen those hoses turn into a nightmare even with the tank out of the way. Anyone that was able to do it with the tank in place should consider themselves lucky. It can be done but I would not consider it the norm.
That was indeed my experience on my '81 GTSi ---- removed the d-side tank, and it was STILL a very tedious task getting both the vacuum and coolant hoses out. Apparently, there are some small, steel protective brackets welded onto the chassis in that area ---- and, these also seem to vary in configuration from car to car. My guess is that the earlier cars had smaller / fewer of them ---- which would make hose removal easier. I strongly considered cutting off / reattaching the brackets to get at mine, but decided to grin and bear it instead --- took a few hours to pull the hoses
