under-body metal coolant pipes.

I've discovered the metal coolant pipes under the car are leaking in a couple of places. A mechanic friend thinks this could be a complicated job and thinks I should renew the whole setup in case there is serious corrosion inside the box section and he didn't want to do a bodge patch up job. I read somewhere online about cutting the metal pipe ends off and pushing plastic radiator pipes through the tubes in the box section as a simple solution. I would be very grateful for any advice on how to fix this problem. Many thanks in advance. Regards, Eddie

Use copper pipes from the plumber, then reducing connectors on the ends from viperperformance with their flexible silicon pipes. They sell connectors as well. The difficulty is cutting at the back and avoiding the speedo cable and forming beads on the ends of the copper pipes. A tool can be made to form these or double smooth sided clips, also from viper work I believe. Mechanics can sometimes be scary if they are not familiar with the job. Another member in Scotland has done it this way.

Thank you, that's very helpful.
Do you know if I should use any particular diameter pipe. Would standard radiator size be a bit too narrow? Cheers, Eddie

22mm copper pipe fits in the 28 to 35mm reducer. 28mm for the copper pipe expanding to 35 for the standard car pipes. On the internet there are articles that show how to make a primitive beading tool from a pair of crimping pliers or something like that. To do the set up use the silicone flexible pipe from the radiator or thermostat to a coupling, then the reducer to the copper pipe. The pipes should fit through the old steel pipes.
I have not done it yet but the fellow in Scotland has. I forget his name but the message should be on the site somewhere.

Me, it was done it on both the turbo car and now Carlos

Hi Eddie,

To give you some confidence about doing this job I have also done this to my x19. I used 28mm copper pipe from local plumber merchant.





I put these in while in the middle of my restoration, the engine is in now and all the water pipes are now connected. I used silicone pipe reducers it took a bit of time to sort but is working ok.