Stupid plastic pipe!
02-11-2009, 04:15 PM
#1
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Stupid plastic pipe!
<center><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3321/3273366096_5489a58c35.jpg"></center><p>Audi's stock pipe on the right which seems to break every 75K miles or so, and my solution on the left.
02-11-2009, 05:18 PM
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its the pipe that connects the oil cooler to the block. It carries coolant.
Prone to break completely in two.
8 hours labor to pull the oil cooler. for a 10 dollar part.
8 hours labor to pull the oil cooler. for a 10 dollar part.
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02-11-2009, 06:18 PM
#8
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Got a drawing?
Maybe we could buy 40 or so....from somebody who would make it....or I'll buy a few from you.
Or 20.
The question is, will it stand up to very high and low temperature excursions? Maybe that's why Audi made them out of plastic.
Or 20.
The question is, will it stand up to very high and low temperature excursions? Maybe that's why Audi made them out of plastic.
02-11-2009, 06:36 PM
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Paul, thanks for maintaining Audipages.
I can take dimensions off the factory piece I bought.
and as a favor, I'd like to send you one.
pm, your snail address to me.
Regarding temperature, I don't think the plastic is any better than aluminum and certainly not as strong. I suspect this is just one of those Value Engineering decisions to make the thing out of plastic instead of having it made from aluminum to save a buck.
I took out the stress concentration points in the plastic piece where the diameter is reduced for no real reason, also the o-ring recess is square on the plastic piece which can lead to stress fractures at the corners. I did a U shaped o-ring recess to help prevent stress cracks. Should be a lifetime part.
I have alot of friends at the Audi dealership here in Austin, and they've been doing these like crazy in the last year for A8s and A6s. Same failure where the plastic pipe breaks on the engine block side right where the pipe is necked down for no reason.
and as a favor, I'd like to send you one.
pm, your snail address to me.
Regarding temperature, I don't think the plastic is any better than aluminum and certainly not as strong. I suspect this is just one of those Value Engineering decisions to make the thing out of plastic instead of having it made from aluminum to save a buck.
I took out the stress concentration points in the plastic piece where the diameter is reduced for no real reason, also the o-ring recess is square on the plastic piece which can lead to stress fractures at the corners. I did a U shaped o-ring recess to help prevent stress cracks. Should be a lifetime part.
I have alot of friends at the Audi dealership here in Austin, and they've been doing these like crazy in the last year for A8s and A6s. Same failure where the plastic pipe breaks on the engine block side right where the pipe is necked down for no reason.