Changing rubber pipes to silicon

[franksm]

Hi folks

After bursting a water pipe (the small vertical rubber pipe between water-pump and thermostat housing) and see the price of a replacement from my MB dealer, I would rather spend the money replacing all the rubber pipes (as much as possible) with their silicon equivalent.

A "kit" isn't available from the likes of Samco, but they sell various sizes and shapes.

Does anyone know what i.d. (internal diameter) the various coolant pipes are on a w124 2.3 4-cyl ?

Cheers

Frank

 

[BlackC55]

I really wouldn't bother.

The original pipes are adequate for standard engines. The real advantage would be if you are running a turbo or your coolant temps were likely to be really high.

The cost for replacement OE pipes I am sure would not be that different than the Samco versions.

Try Roose as they do custom piping to your requirement if you still really want to do it.

 

[kth286]

franksm

Exactly. The existing pipes have served you well for 15 years - why the hassle of change.

There are probably more useful items on the car you could be expending your energy on for a worthwhile benefit.

 

[franksm]

I know what you're saying, but... it's turning out that silicon is costing about the same as rubber (from MB). Since there's a lead time on getting the parts, I went to a specialist MB salvage yard (here in Ireland) to pick up the bit I need.

The guy there was saying that this particular pipe on the W124 (and the W123) with the 2.3 engine, is known to be a weak point.

Demon Tweeks sell silicon, so that's where I have gone for bits.

Cheers !