I currently have the front subframe on my '04 R53 down for control arm bushing replacement (couldn't for the life of me punch them out like I did on my '05) - going through replacing some gaskets, etc as well. Noticed one of the metal coolant pipes that run along the back of the engine is leaking. Anyone replace that with a section of hose instead?

I ponied up the $200 to replace the ones on my '05 but wondering if hose would be ok or is there too much heat from the exhaust?? Thoughts?

Thanks!

Pat

 

Thinking that is the piping to the oil filer/oil cooler housing that is on the passenger side of the motor. As that route places the piping below the exhaust manifold it is logical to me that metal holds up better to heat than rubber and hence the metal pipe

Thinking out loud, does the metal piping have offsets/bends and even if it does, could a rubber hose be used for the run that is wrapped in a heat shield material?

There is a joke about buffalo head nickels. If you know the joke you would now why I would try the above "out-loud" thought as I have more than few of those nickels.

 

Correct...pipe to the oil cooler housing. The one on my '05 was completely rotted away but not leaking - this one looks great except for the spot where the weld for the mount goes...small spot of rust and leaking.

I'd only need to cut out an inch of pipe - and then was thinking about some aluminum foil or something...