Warning - Older Vehicles - Check Your Water Pipes

Engines and Engine Systems
User avatar
iandvl
Patrolman 1000+
Patrolman 1000+
Posts: 1763
Joined: 12 Jan 2015 13:26
Full Name: Ian de Villiers
Nickname: Ian
Home Town: Garsfontein
Current 4x4: Nissan Patrol 4.5 GRX
Home Language: English
Has thanked: 442 times
Been thanked: 670 times

Warning - Older Vehicles - Check Your Water Pipes

Post by iandvl »

Folkses - some on the Whatsapp group have probably realised I've had several water pipe issues recently.

I had my radiator hoses as well as one side of the pipes running to the heater matrix replaced quite recently, as I was concerned about issues coming up. I mean - my truck is quite aged...

In any case, on the 2nd January, I lost the first pipe. In this case, it was the first pipe running underneath the engine cover (highlighted red in the image below), which is the one side of the throttle assembly and oil cooler bits.

The thread is here : http://patrol4x4.co.za/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=8173

I fixed this on the day, got the truck home, and later also installed a coolant level detector (http://patrol4x4.co.za/viewtopic.php?f=44&t=8194). There is still some controversy in terms of my install, as depending on where a pipe bursts, there may be the fact that the overflow tank is not drained by the motor, in which case, the early warning system will fail. But I'll rectify this at some point. In the meantime, the system has saved me...

Yesterday, I lost more pipes. The pipes which failed catastrophically, was the 90 degree pipe running down to the oil cooler (green). I also noticed that the pipe running from the thermostat housing to the metal heater return pipe (blue), was also dodgy. And it appears as this may have also been leaking as a result of the coolant spray patterns on the block next to it.


Thankfully, this occurred in Brits, and the Madman CLD picked it up. Motor was still 100% in normal temperature range when I shut it off. Was just driving out of Brits, when the alarm went off. Stopped at the garage just outside town and noticed the truck was losing water. I let everything cool, refilled and bled, and drove back to home, whereafter the whole process of replacing pipes actually started.

Replacing them is horrible, but possible. Just be prepared to speak a lot of foreign in the process. Apart from the 90 degree pipe running to the oil cooler, as well as the heater hoses on the back firewall, which can apparently only be obtained from the dealerships (or possibly Terrain Tamer as well), all pipes are very generic, and you can get them at any spares shop. Graham gave me an alternate part number for the oil cooler pipe - RH7013 or PH0001. It's a pipe which is a little longer on both ends, but the correct diameter, and the ends can just be trimmed off to the correct length.

The set of heater hoses on the firewall on the driver's side of the truck have been replaced. The set on the right look relatively OK, but I will have them replaced when I have the truck services again just to be sure.

Disassembly

I removed the battery, as well as the alternator so that I would have (barely) enough space to get at the various pipes from the drivers' side of the vehicle. After this, I carefully removed all the hose clamps on the pipes. After some attempts at getting the pipes off, I ended up getting some advice (thanks both Peter Connan and Graham) and used a Stanley knife to cut the pipe length ways where it attacked to the steel connectors. After this, the hoses came off relatively easily.

After getting all the pipes I required (all those marked highlighted in the image), new jubilee clamps and trimming the pipes to the correct lengths, I started the process of reassembly.
PIPES-REPLACED.png
PIPES-REPLACED.png (200.96 KiB) Viewed 6531 times
Assembly

Firstly, I removed the 12mm bolt holding the metal bit running to the throttle body and oil cooler (green in the image below) and removed that bit from it's normal position underneath the throttle body. And then I put the various pipes onto the thing with clamps loosely fastened.

Next, I removed the 2x 12mm bolts which hold the metal heater return pipe (red in the image below) to the inlet manifold. This would give enough room to install the new pipes. At this point, I firstly installed the long pipe running from the oil cooler to the heater return pipe (yellow in image 1).
HEATER RETURN.png
HEATER RETURN.png (201.15 KiB) Viewed 6531 times
I did not tighten the clamps too tightly, as I wanted some play for installing the pipe on the end of the heater return assembly (blue in image 1). Once these two pipes were on, I tightened the clamps on all the pipes.

Next, I maneuvered the other piece I had removed and partially connected "off-vehicle" (the green bit) into it's spot underneath the throttle. I first connected the pipe which runs up to the throttle assembly (purple in image 1), as it made the most sense to do it first - ie: so I could move the bit around a little. Next, I connected the thicker pipe (red in image 1). Finally, I connected the 90 degree pipe which runs to the oil cooler (green in image 1). Only at this point, did I tighten all the clamps on the pipes.

And at this point, one reattach the two metal pipes to the inlet manifold with the appropriate bolts, reinstall the alternator and battery.

Afterwards

Afterwards, I flushed and refilled the radiator with anti-freeze and bled appropriately.

After Thoughts
  • Replacing these items are absolutely horrible
  • But probably vitally important on an older vehicle.
  • Space to work is at a premium, so plan ahead before just doing things.
  • Make sure you plan the position of your clamps appropriately so that you can get to them with the relevant fastening device (screw driver, spanner, socket, etc).
  • Most importantly, remember that the long pipe connecting to the oil cooler will be behind the 90 degree pipe. So install it first or you will not be able to fasten it
Anyways, think that is it. Was a horrible job, but done now.
Ian de Villiers

Patrol 4.5 GRX
Jurgens XT65 2x0 with Super Select Zero
ORRA: H80
User avatar
ricster
Patrolman 1000+
Patrolman 1000+
Posts: 5850
Joined: 13 Jan 2010 11:16
Full Name: Cedric Warner
Nickname: Cedric
Home Town: Alberton Gauteng
Current 4x4: '99 Nissan Patrol 4.2 Turbo Diesel
Home Language: English
Location: LA..... No not Los Angles ..... Lower Alberton, Gauteng
Has thanked: 591 times
Been thanked: 468 times

Re: Warning - Older Vehicles - Check Your Water Pipes

Post by ricster »

Well done bud !!!
Regards
Cedric
Nissan Patrol GL 4.2 Diesel Turbo (Iron Maiden)
Nissan SANI 3.0 V6 4x4 (SOLD)
Isuzu KB 280 DT 2x4 ('ol Smokey) - SOLD
Suzuki TL 1000R "V twin" (Growler) - SOLD
User avatar
Tinus lotz
Moderator
Posts: 7579
Joined: 29 Aug 2010 13:07
Full Name: Tinus lotz
Nickname: Tinus lotz
Home Town: Centurion
Current 4x4: Nissan patrol 4.8 GRX 2005

Toyota 2.7 legend 35 LWB 4X4
Home Language: Afrikaans
Has thanked: 800 times
Been thanked: 549 times

Re: Warning - Older Vehicles - Check Your Water Pipes

Post by Tinus lotz »

Cool man great job
graham1
Patrolman
Patrolman
Posts: 577
Joined: 15 Jun 2015 17:46
Full Name: graham robertson
Nickname: graham1
Home Town: Harties
Current 4x4: 2004 Patrol 4.8; 1999 Patrol 4.2D
Home Language: English
Has thanked: 9 times
Been thanked: 100 times

Re: Warning - Older Vehicles - Check Your Water Pipes

Post by graham1 »

So Im guessing if it was difficult on the 4.5 it will be downright impossible on a 4.8?

Good job though!
Anthony Forgey
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 466
Joined: 07 Apr 2016 09:46
Full Name: Anthony Forgey
Nickname: Anthony
Home Town: Randburg
Current 4x4: 98 4.2D (turbo'd)
Home Language: English
Has thanked: 146 times
Been thanked: 186 times

Re: Warning - Older Vehicles - Check Your Water Pipes

Post by Anthony Forgey »

Those Nissan clamps are from the devil. :devil:

Well at least now its done and you can have some peace of mind.
Intelligence is measured in smarts, stature is measured in hearts
User avatar
iandvl
Patrolman 1000+
Patrolman 1000+
Posts: 1763
Joined: 12 Jan 2015 13:26
Full Name: Ian de Villiers
Nickname: Ian
Home Town: Garsfontein
Current 4x4: Nissan Patrol 4.5 GRX
Home Language: English
Has thanked: 442 times
Been thanked: 670 times

Re: Warning - Older Vehicles - Check Your Water Pipes

Post by iandvl »

graham1 wrote: 30 Jan 2019 06:39 So Im guessing if it was difficult on the 4.5 it will be downright impossible on a 4.8?

Good job though!
I've got no idea on the 4.8. I'm too demotivated to even look at them at the moment... This job pretty much almost broke me...
Ian de Villiers

Patrol 4.5 GRX
Jurgens XT65 2x0 with Super Select Zero
ORRA: H80
User avatar
iandvl
Patrolman 1000+
Patrolman 1000+
Posts: 1763
Joined: 12 Jan 2015 13:26
Full Name: Ian de Villiers
Nickname: Ian
Home Town: Garsfontein
Current 4x4: Nissan Patrol 4.5 GRX
Home Language: English
Has thanked: 442 times
Been thanked: 670 times

Re: Warning - Older Vehicles - Check Your Water Pipes

Post by iandvl »

Anthony Forgey wrote: 30 Jan 2019 07:27 Those Nissan clamps are from the devil. :devil:

Well at least now its done and you can have some peace of mind.
I'm not very fond of the Nissan clamps. I've replaced everything with jubilee clamps.
Ian de Villiers

Patrol 4.5 GRX
Jurgens XT65 2x0 with Super Select Zero
ORRA: H80
User avatar
Rudolph
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 388
Joined: 15 Feb 2010 18:03
Full Name: Rudolph van Deventer
Nickname: Rudolph
Home Town: Port Alfred
Current 4x4: Nissan Patrol Y61 3.0Di GL (TD42Ti)
Home Language: Afrikaans
Has thanked: 107 times
Been thanked: 32 times

Re: Warning - Older Vehicles - Check Your Water Pipes

Post by Rudolph »

Well done, one hell of job!
User avatar
Peter Connan
Moderator
Posts: 6005
Joined: 10 Sep 2010 07:21
Full Name: Peter Connan
Nickname: Piet
Home Town: Kempton Park
Current 4x4: 1996 Patrol 4.5SGL
Home Language: Afrikaans
Location: Kempton Park
Has thanked: 1065 times
Been thanked: 983 times

Re: Warning - Older Vehicles - Check Your Water Pipes

Post by Peter Connan »

iandvl wrote: 30 Jan 2019 10:45
graham1 wrote: 30 Jan 2019 06:39 So Im guessing if it was difficult on the 4.5 it will be downright impossible on a 4.8?

Good job though!
I've got no idea on the 4.8. I'm too demotivated to even look at them at the moment... This job pretty much almost broke me...
Schedule it for the next time you replace the spark plugs. So much easier with the manifold off.
Mag ons ons kenniskry met lekkerkry aanhoukry.
User avatar
iandvl
Patrolman 1000+
Patrolman 1000+
Posts: 1763
Joined: 12 Jan 2015 13:26
Full Name: Ian de Villiers
Nickname: Ian
Home Town: Garsfontein
Current 4x4: Nissan Patrol 4.5 GRX
Home Language: English
Has thanked: 442 times
Been thanked: 670 times

Re: Warning - Older Vehicles - Check Your Water Pipes

Post by iandvl »

So, apart from the age of the pipes, the possible reason for the recent spate of burst pipes seems to have become apparent.

My truck went in for a service at G-Tech today - it is due for a service, but I also wanted Graham to go over my water pipe repairs. I've sort of become paranoid about it...

The metal pipe (highlighted in the image below) which connects the block to the heater hoses, seems to have a tiny, tiny leak in it. This is apparently, either corrosion or the solder which keeps the 90 degree pipe attached to the bolt having broken. In any case, this probably meant that despite things having been bled and similar, a tiny bit of air may have entered the cooling system, which may also mean that the pressure within the system was not perfect.

It's really a very small leak, as I've not been losing any water, maarnouwat. Ons kyk en sien hoe speel hy uit...
more-pipes.png
more-pipes.png (200.44 KiB) Viewed 6316 times
Ian de Villiers

Patrol 4.5 GRX
Jurgens XT65 2x0 with Super Select Zero
ORRA: H80
Post Reply

Return to “09. Engines”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Ahrefs [Bot] and 2 guests