I ran a search and could not find anything that mentioned bending the tube back enough to ensure good flow.

I was under my car this evening trying to figure out why my engine coolant hose on the drivers side is at such a different angle coming into the coolant tube. So I took off some of the wheel liner bolts and pulled the liner back and found a kink/bend on the top of the coolant tube. I have pictures below. My question is the stainless tubes material substantial enough to be able to pinch back with BIG channel locks?




You can see in the last picture where the rustproofing that was on the tube cracked off at the bend. Looks quite sharp. This is what a GM dealership did.

Thanks,

Steve W.
NE Grand Rapids, MI
88 Coupe

[This message has been edited by solotwo (edited 08-14-2011).]

You might be able to get it back out if you pull the tube from under the car and heat it up really good around the bend. Other than that I would think it would crack trying to get some of its shape back with just channel locks.

i have the same bent at the same location.
i to thought about bending it back but you probably will get it to the stock curve but will still have a kink.
if not a crack. you could just cut that bent section out. and replace it with a rubber coolant hose and a clamp at both ends. which ill end up doing.

freeze it

quote Originally posted by nightmare318: freeze it

This will work, problem is that the part that needs to be frozen isn't big enough for a non commercial type freezer

Thanks people. The Fiero is my daily driver so it has to be something that can be done "over night" so to speak So if the temp gage ever gets past the half way mark and starts heading to the right I will have to take evasive actions. I think the cutting an replacing the section with hose will probably end up being the path that I will have to take.

[This message has been edited by solotwo (edited 08-14-2011).]

This may not be the answer that you are looking for but I see replacement as the only option. A few of the parts dealers should have these tubes in stock but you will need a lift to do the job.

------------------
" THE BLACK PARALYZER" -87GT 3800SC Series III engine, ZZP Intercooler, 3.4" Pulley, N* TB, LS1 MAF, Flotech Exhaust Autolite 104's Custom CAI 4T65eHD w. custom axles, HP Tuners VCM Suite.
"THE COLUSSUS"
87GT - ALL OUT 3.4L Turbocharged engine, Garrett Hybrid Turbo, MSD ign., modified TH125H
" ON THE LOOSE WITHOUT THE JUICE "

quote Originally posted by solotwo: I am not sure what you are referring to. I have not heard of this procedure.

I see this trick all the time in the nitro R/C world where people dent up their exhausts. You fill the part up with water and plug the holes, throw it in the freezer and the dent/ kink should pop right out since if I remember correctly- ice has a larger volume. Of course its not really feasible if its your DD and also finding a freezer big enough for that and its only needed if your pipe is kinked since this process wont straighten it out.

Another trick, is if you want to bend tubing and reduce the possibility of kinking it, you pack it with sand and proceed to bend the part.

[This message has been edited by nitroheadz28 (edited 08-14-2011).]

Lower the coolant tube down so you have some access to it, cut the kinked section out. From there you can either just use a section of hose to make the repair, or you can weld it back together.

I keep thinking if I could get some good quality reinforced "Goodyear" Locomotive style hose, good for high pressure. I would just run hose front to back, eliminate the damn tubes completely. They're made from steel because it's cheap.

Well I think I will cut the tube and put a piece of silicone coolant hose in between the two metal pieces.

Thanks all for the info.

Steve W.
NE Grand Rapids, MI
88 Coupe

I fixed one of these bent pipes by getting the last 36" of an unbent pipe. I then cut off the smashed piece about one inch short of the 36" mark. Used a piece of radiator hose and 4 clamps. Four years later it is still doing good. I used a small hammer to open up the hole just enough to replicate a flair on the long portion still in the car. Make your cut between the two pipe fasteners so they will assist with the holding on the new section. Turn the 4 clamps so they do not interfear with the pipes going up against the body of the car.

The best fix is to cut out the bent section and weld in a new piece. It's more expensive but will last forever.

Joe Sokol

------------------
85 SE Daily driver with a 3.4 DOHC OBD II
88 Formula/GT 4.9 Allante Intake (My Baby)

quote Originally posted by Fieroking: The best fix is to cut out the bent section and weld in a new piece. It's more expensive but will last forever. Joe Sokol

Sounds great but I dont have the time to do that. Better yet just get a new one!

cut the pipe.
then, you can attempt to expand it back from the inside, maybe using a tailpipe expander, or cut out the crushed section, and replace with radiator hose, or another section from an unbent tube.

I marked an X on the top and bottom crushed part of the tube, then cut the tube directly in the center of the crushed area. Then I expanded the pipe on both sides back to normal. Then had chrishahn TIG it back together.

quote Originally posted by Hulki U. My-BFF: I marked an X on the top and bottom crushed part of the tube, then cut the tube directly in the center of the crushed area. Then I expanded the pipe on both sides back to normal. Then had chrishahn TIG it back together.

Did you use an exhaust pipe expander?