Coolant tube repair advice (Page 1/2)
Akheron JUL 19, 11:45 AM
I have a question about coolant tube repair - the long ones that run under the rocker panel. Last summer I had the coolant tubes patched using a patch kit from Rodney Dickman due to corrosion caused by rotting tube brackets. Unfortunately, the damage is too extensive, so they have began leaking again. I purchased a set of used tubes from the Fiero Factory, but I don't want to give up on my originals just yet as finding good condition tubes is getting harder and harder to find. So, I would like to have the bad section of the tubes cut out and a new piece of stainless welded in its place. Can anyone provide any guidance on what grade of stainless these tubes are made of? Also, to whom would I have make this repair (I can't weld)? A muffler shop? I am in the Chicagoland area, so if anyone has any good advice on the best way to repair the tube as well as a recommendation on whom I could take the tubes to perform the repair, I would greatly appreciate it.
Will JUL 19, 12:06 PM
Corroded or smashed? Photos?
Akheron JUL 19, 03:52 PM
Sorry, no pictures to post. The damage is definitely corrosion which occurred under the coolant tube brackets at both the rear and forward brackets on both sides of the car. Coolant was sweating through the pipe on both sides. Another question I have is just how necessary are the drain plugs in these pipes? Most of the threads I've read on the forums say not to use them when draining the coolant due to their tendency to seize up. If I can find someone to weld in a new piece of pipe, I'm thinking I'll just have them delete the plugs and weld in just a straight piece of pipe. Any thoughts?
Patrick JUL 19, 05:55 PM

quote
Originally posted by Akheron:

Another question I have is just how necessary are the drain plugs in these pipes?



I've had multiple Fieros over the last 20 years and I've yet to remove a coolant pipe drain plug.
gtoformula JUL 19, 07:17 PM
Anytime that I do a repair that is coolant related I remove one, or both, of my coolant tube drain plugs. Both of mine can be easily removed and replaced ... very helpful in getting the coolant level down below whatever part in the system that I need to service. I have a southern car and that is certainly a factor. I also have a set of coolant tubes that I removed from a 1988 Formula. Very solid parts without any corrosion, so if anyone is interested contact me for additional information.
Dennis LaGrua JUL 19, 07:42 PM
We remove those coolant pipe plugs out all the time. Only once I had to heat them with the torch but they came out. When they are replaced we use a 1/4 NPT hex pipe plug. The ones that we have in the shop have a larger hex than the OEM plugs and are made of brass. That insures that they won't rust in place.

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Patrick JUL 19, 09:07 PM

quote
Originally posted by gtoformula:

Anytime that I do a repair that is coolant related I remove one, or both, of my coolant tube drain plugs.... very helpful in getting the coolant level down below whatever part in the system that I need to service.



IMO, that's what the radiator petcock is for.
Zentaury JUL 20, 12:27 AM

quote
Originally posted by Patrick:

IMO, that's what the radiator petcock is for.



Is the radiator petcock good to “drain the engine” too?

Is better to drain it from the radiator rather than from the engine plugs?

Or in that particular case applies removing directly the hose?
Patrick JUL 20, 01:11 AM

quote
Originally posted by Zentaury:

Is the radiator petcock good to “drain the engine” too?



Compared to using the coolant tube drain plugs? Sure... especially if the back of the Fiero has been raised a bit.


quote
Originally posted by Zentaury:

Is better to drain it from the radiator rather than from the engine plugs?

Or in that particular case applies removing directly the hose?



When I want to thoroughly flush any car's cooling system, I disconnect the hoses to both flush and reverse flush every area.
AsaBergman JUL 20, 01:22 AM
Akheron, find an exhaust shop that can do stainless exhaust and they should be able to do it. The pipes are a low grade stainless.