Visteon Radiator In- Radiator Hose hitting J-pipe

[kmoore]

Just received my Visteon Radiator, which is a REALLY a nice piece, for the money. And I bolted it in today. Went to slip on the upper radiator hose and I noticed that it is now touching the J-pipe. I have heard about that flexible radiator hose but my only concern is that I'm not sure if I have enough room to even make a sharp 90* turn. What do you guys think?

I don't want to dent down my J-pipe and rig it to fit. How hot does that J-pipe get? I would assume since it's on the "hot side" it gets pretty hot, but hot enough to melt that hose? Here are some pictures:

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

 

[DSMunknown]

Ewww. J-pipes are disgusting! Maybe you could try something like this. You could also try this from Greedy. Oops, I meant Greddy. If you had the time, you could also have the radiator inlet moved, by cutting it off, blocking it, and moving it over a tad. Or you could just have the angle adjusted a little bit so it points more towards the hood instead of being parallel to the ground.

Oh, and see if you can't adjust the position of the radiator itself. Perhaps you can jiggle it a bit more and see if that helps. Also try putting washers under the upper radiator braces to give it a little extra room to work with (but not too much room, because you don't want to run into problems with the hood hitting).

Also look through this thread and Toan's photos (specifically the fourth one in his second post). Something you could possibly try and pretty cheap to boot.

 

[kmoore]

Tell me about it. I'd wish that J-pipe was a little "smaller", but I do understand why they made it so high. I don't know if those items that you posted Anthony would solve my problem?

Just to let everybody know, this is what I'm having to work with:

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

Well, I bit the bullet and went out and bought one of those flexible radiator hoses just to see if it could help any. And personally I think it does a little bit. Take a look:

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

You must be logged in to view this image or video.

What do you think? Better? Should I keep it like this? How hot will that J-pip get? Is that slight kink an issue?

 

[SOADweskey]

That looks like it should work. If for some reason it doesn't you should maybe consider a new j-pipe. I just got one from ETS that goes towards the driver side inlet of my front mount. It is really a really nicely fabed up pipe.

 

[kmoore]

Also look through this thread and Toan's photos (specifically the fourth one in his second post). Something you could possibly try and pretty cheap to boot.

And yes, that is where I heard of those flexible hoses. It looks like his is a little sharper angle than mine. Maybe it's just me though.

 

[DSMunknown]

Perhaps in the near future you would like to try another one out? This one isn't too expensive. Or you could trade yours for someone else's. Or if you really wanted to keep that one, take it to a trusted shop and have them adjust a few of the angles to make it fit (or just have them cut out a good chunk of piping before the big bend and re-weld it back togther again).

 

[kmoore]

That looks like it should work. If for some reason it doesn't you should maybe consider a new j-pipe. I just got one from ETS that goes towards the driver side inlet of my front mount. It is really a really nicely fabed up pipe.

Man, I sure hope not. I think this J-pipe was like 90 bucks. I might just bite the bullet on that too and have a local shop fab me up one. Any idea about how hot or if that will melt at all?

 

[kmoore]

Perhaps in the near future you would like to try another one out? This one isn't too expensive. Or you could trade yours for someone else's. Or if you really wanted to keep that one, take it to a trusted shop and have them adjust a few of the angles to make it fit (or just have them cut out a good chunk of piping before the big bend and re-weld it back togther again).

That's the same J-pipe that I got pictured. And I might just have to do that. Do you think it should work though as it sits right now?

 

[DSMunknown]

Yeah, it definately will hold up (at least for now). I wouldn't worry too much about it now. Just check up on it once a week or so and make sure the radiator hose isn't getting its ass kicked.

 

[DSM Jeff]

I've seen some evo's using aluminum radiators and with what ever manifold the used they ended up having a 90* elbow welded to the radiator then finding a different hose to use.

 

[Mr Peepers]

I can't give out any temps for when a radiator hose will melt, but it does hold 200+ degree coolant and I've seen people use radiator hose in a pinch for a coupler or even the whole LICP. Hell, the stock IC piping looks to be made out of the same material, just with fiber reinforcement.

CLEAN car

EDIT: You may not want the radiator hose keeping the J-pipe at a steady 200* though...

 

[steve]

It's not going to melt but it will rub.

 

[kmoore]

I can't give out any temps for when a radiator hose will melt, but it does hold 200+ degree coolant and I've seen people use radiator hose in a pinch for a coupler or even the whole LICP. Hell, the stock IC piping looks to be made out of the same material, just with fiber reinforcement.

CLEAN car

EDIT: You may not want the radiator hose keeping the J-pipe at a steady 200* though...

You make a good point. I think I might just leave it like it is and see what happens. If worse comes to worse, the hose pops and I'll have coolant everywhere. Just great. hahah. I'll just have to keep an eye on it.

And thanks man. 'Preciate it.

 

[kmoore]

It's not going to melt but it will rub.

Alright, cool. Now my next question is, is that kink anything to be concerned about?

 

[DSMunknown]

No, it's not.

 

[Mr Peepers]

It's not going to melt but it will rub.

Steve is right... It's hard to tell if it's actually touching from those pics(if not it's REAL close), but that area moves a lot from the engine torquing forward and back. Check for wear on the radiator hose every once in a while like DSMunknown said. It should be alright, but I'd look for an alternative in the meantime.

 

[Boosted98gsx]

If you wanted to do it correctly you could have the radiator upper neck cut, and rewelded at an angle to clear the j-pipe....

 

[DSMunknown]

If you wanted to do it correctly you could have the radiator upper neck cut, and rewelded at an angle to clear the j-pipe....

Yeah, I already mentioned that Andrew.

 

[slowgsr]

it will be fine.. wont melt it gets hotter then your J pipe, only probably is it will rub. You might want to take a piece of radiator hose, cut a slit and wrap it around your flex rad hose and zip tie it (not too tight since the rad hose will expand slightly). this will let the J pipe rub on your rad hose protector piece, instead of the actual hose.

Goodluck.

 

[b00stedtalon2]

You could try putting that aluminum foil looking heat wrap around the section that it touches the j pipe.

 

[Boosted98gsx]

Or get an insulating/reflecting sleeve from summit and put that around the hose like this:

<img src="http://www.dsmtuners.com/gallery/files/6/9/3/4/drivers_side.jpg" alt="Engine Shots 1-24-08" />

 

[rich3389]

I also have this issue, anyone else with the problem?

 

[kmoore]

I guess I should probably update.

So far everything is good with that flexible hose. It still rubs but it hasn't created a hole or anything serious.