Lesson Learned - AST Elimination
06-16-02, 01:17 PM
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Lesson Learned - AST Elimination
Last weekend, I installed the M2 AST elimination kit... aside from the crappy instructions it went pretty smooth(the xerox photo of the hose routings was completely black so you couldn't make out any of the hose routings, and for a $50 kit, which is overpriced by about $25, don't you think they should include the .79 cents worth of hose clamps needed for a complete installation?).
Anyway, I really babied the car all week just to make sure the connections were good and the coolant levels were right. Yesterday, I took the 7 up to redline and drove it as it begs to be driven. Everything seemed good, so I cruised over to a friends graduation party. While I am enjoying an ice cold beverage in the backyard, some lady comes out and announces that there is green stuff and smoke coming from red sports car sitting out front. The only thing that went through my mind was a big 'O ****' and a shrinking checkbook. Upon close inspection, I found the upper radiator hose was torn almost in half. It must have burst while I was driving, but nothing really happened until I stopped. I think it was pretty fortunate that I wasn't the highway or taking a long trip b/c I would have fried the engine for sure.
The hose was soft as hell and it was just a matter of time before it failed. I think the 16lb radiator cap that was installed as part of the elim kit boosted the pressure of the cooling system just enough that the hose couldn't take it anymore. Origianlly I removed the AST because I thought it was the weak link in the cooling system, but I found otherwise. This week I am going to replace all of the cooling hoses (it is 8 yr old rubber... I never have rubber last that long!) and the alternator belt. I feel pretty lucky that all I lost was a hose and a couple gallons of coolant. For anyone thinking of doing the AST Elimination or any other cooling system mods, make sure you check ALL of the hoses, not just the ones you are re-routing.
Anyway, I really babied the car all week just to make sure the connections were good and the coolant levels were right. Yesterday, I took the 7 up to redline and drove it as it begs to be driven. Everything seemed good, so I cruised over to a friends graduation party. While I am enjoying an ice cold beverage in the backyard, some lady comes out and announces that there is green stuff and smoke coming from red sports car sitting out front. The only thing that went through my mind was a big 'O ****' and a shrinking checkbook. Upon close inspection, I found the upper radiator hose was torn almost in half. It must have burst while I was driving, but nothing really happened until I stopped. I think it was pretty fortunate that I wasn't the highway or taking a long trip b/c I would have fried the engine for sure.
The hose was soft as hell and it was just a matter of time before it failed. I think the 16lb radiator cap that was installed as part of the elim kit boosted the pressure of the cooling system just enough that the hose couldn't take it anymore. Origianlly I removed the AST because I thought it was the weak link in the cooling system, but I found otherwise. This week I am going to replace all of the cooling hoses (it is 8 yr old rubber... I never have rubber last that long!) and the alternator belt. I feel pretty lucky that all I lost was a hose and a couple gallons of coolant. For anyone thinking of doing the AST Elimination or any other cooling system mods, make sure you check ALL of the hoses, not just the ones you are re-routing.
06-16-02, 02:49 PM
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yup, I had some bad blulging ones...the ones that go to the turbo housings...and yeah, pressure doesnt build until the engine stops and the coolant inst flowing through everything anymore, thats when your bad leaks start..I know from experience myself
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