Is the Cooling Hose Kit (2WD/Syncro) compatible with my Vanagon's year and model?

This GoWesty Cooling Hose Kit is designed to fit all years of Vanagon (1980-1991) with water-cooled engines, including both 2WD and Syncro models. It's compatible with stock engine setups, covering both manual and automatic transmissions. If your Vanagon is air-cooled (1980-1983), this kit is not compatible – it's meant only for water-cooled models. Always double-check your model year and engine type before ordering for best fitment.

What tools and info do I need to install the GoWesty cooling hose kit myself?

Installation of the GoWesty cooling hose kit is definitely doable for a Vanagon owner comfortable with basic tools and working under the van. You’ll need a good socket set, screwdrivers, pliers, and a utility knife or hose cutter. It helps to have some coolant on hand to refill your system once finished. All hoses in this kit are pre-cut and formed for direct replacement—no guesswork or extra trimming needed. The kit also includes an upgraded aluminum coolant elbow and works with original or GoWesty replacement plastic or stainless steel junctions. If a certain clamp feels stubborn, using a bit of silicone spray can help. Take your time, review your Bentley manual, and if you feel unsure about reaching some of the tight spots, a local VW mechanic can finish the job.

What makes this hose kit better than standard replacements for Vanagon cooling hoses?

The GoWesty kit has been praised by Vanagon owners for its high-quality, long-lasting hoses that are specifically tailored for both 2WD and Syncro models. One standout feature is the upgraded aluminum coolant elbow, which replaces a part prone to failure on original setups. This adds durability and peace of mind, especially on road trips. Each hose is sized and formed to reduce leaks and fit perfectly—no cobbling together pieces. The kit is engineered with reliability in mind, saving you hassle and repeated repairs down the line. It’s a reliable replacement for worn cooling hoses, making this kit a smart, hassle-free upgrade for your Vanagon’s cooling system.

Cooling Hose Kit (2WD/Syncro) [Vanagon]

Name: 4WD Cooling Hose Kit (2WD/Syncro) [Vanagon]
SKU: COOLANT-HOSE-KIT-SYNCRO
Price: 211.95 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

Cooling Hose Kit (2WD/Syncro) [Vanagon]

Product:	COOLANT-HOSE-KIT
Works With:	1983-1991
Manufacturer:	Quality Aftermarket
Availability:	Low Stock
Wrench Rating:	Requires some hand & power tools and minimal mechanical knowledge.

$183.95

Does this part fit your vehicle? Log in to your account & update your profile!

This is a complete cooling hose replacement kit for your waterboxer.

Fits:
• 1986-91 2WD 2100cc waterboxer with manual or automatic trans
• 1986-91 4WD Syncro 2100cc waterboxer
• 1983-85 1900cc waterboxer cooling systems that have been updated with our 2.1 Cooling System Conversion Kit .

Note: In most cases, this hose kit is a direct replacement, and installation is simply the reverse of removal. For that reason, we do not provide full step-by-step instructions. We recommend reviewing our Installation Tips PDF and having your Bentley shop manual on hand during the process. If you're unsure or prefer not to DIY, we suggest having the kit installed by a professional to ensure proper fit and function.

Coolant Elbow: This kit includes our Aluminum Coolant Elbow and Hose Kit instead of the failure-prone 025-121-058M rubber "peace pipe" hose.

2WD Coolant Junction: Our 2WD hose kit is designed to work only with the coolant junction part number 251-121-438B. This is because the -130B hose, which mates to this junction from the right cylinder head, has a longer sweep and is more reliable and resistant to damage from engine vibration than the -130A hose, which mates to the other two junction options (-438 and -438A). Both of these other junctions have the input nipple positioned inboard of the location of the -438B junction (see additional photo for a visual representation of this difference). If your junction does not look exactly like the one pictured above, or if the junction is old or of unknown age, you must purchase a new 251-121-438B junction, or better yet, upgrade to no-holds-barred GoWesty design GVW-251-121-438-UNI

Coolant Pipes: This cooling hose kit is designed to work with either the original plastic coolant pipes that run front to rear or the GoWesty stainless steel coolant pipes. If your Vanagon still has the original plastic pipes, we strongly recommend replacing them with a set of our stainless steel pipes. If you decide to ignore that very sound advice, you should definitely add one of our pipe repair kits. If you are currently running our stainless steel pipes, you will need to modify one of the hoses in this kit (025-121-062E). This is because our stainless steel pipes include one of the bends contained on this hose. The modification is simple and clearly evident: Just cut off the unnecessary bend in the hose and proceed with installation.

Automatic Transmission Cooler: This cooling hose kit is designed to eliminate the plumbing between the cooling system and the original coolant/oil cooler mounted on the front of the transaxle. If your Vanagon has an automatic transmission, it was fitted with this cooler to which coolant is currently plumbed. Our kit DOES NOT support this stock cooler these coolers are notorious for failing internally, thus allowing coolant into the transmission and oil into the cooling system, which will ruin both your transmission and every single hose in your cooling system. Our VERY STRONG recommendation is to install our air/oil external cooler kit, which will eliminate this possible failure. NOTE: In a pinch, you can drive your vehicle without plumbing to the original coolant/oil cooler. However, we do not recommend driving your vehicle for extended periods, while heavily-loaded, or up major grades, as that will adversely affect the life of your transmission. However, it is drivable until you can get the proper, highly-recommended GoWesty external air/oil cooler installed.

Bleeding Your Cooling System: We now offer a simple tool to bleed your cooling system, which you'll need to do after all of these hoses are installed and coolant is added back into the system. Please see our Cooling System Pressurization Pump Kit.

5 stars: 14 (88%)
4 stars: 2 (13%)
3 stars: 0 (0%)
2 stars: 0 (0%)
1 star: 0 (0%)

cooling hose kit

Not installed yet.

everything is great

great kit!

Comprehensive

Solid kit. Wish it included the heater hose though

Good quality hoses

I was rebuilding an engine

I purchased this kit and it was nice to have everything that I needed. Saved a lot of time.

yep

you need these

Good quality very complete hose kit

This kit included all cooling hoses used on the waterboxer engine. Parts were of good quality and fit perfectly. Some hints on installing some of the hard-to-fit parts would be handy (the hose that runs from the thermostat housing over the transmission is a pain), but with some efforts all hoses went into place perfectly.

Quality product

Peace of mind away from big cities

It was about time

After 33 years it was time to replace my cooling system parts. Great selection I chose to start with their rubber hose kit and a new cooling tower along with new thermostat housing.

Great fit.

Excellent fit and quality.

2.1 Cooling Hose Kit

The best is yo change the entire kit, so you are guarenteing the duration.

The best is yo change the entire
kit, so you are guarenteing the duration.

2.1 Cooling Hose Kit

Everything fits

Good Kit

This had everything I needed!

Needs parts labels

Good product but placing at least a SKU or item number on each pipe would helpful. The smaller ones, especially the 90* pipes are similar look but different diameter. Being able to confirm it would help tremendously in rebuilds where you don't have every tube attached to pull one at a time and measure specs against the new one

Cooling Hose Kit (2WD/Syncro) [Vanagon]

Cooling Hose Kit (2WD/Syncro) [Vanagon] Wrench Rating

All Wrench Ratings

Your cart is empty

Your cart is empty

When should we send your message?

Cooling Hose Kit (2WD/Syncro) [Vanagon]

Cooling Hose Kit (2WD/Syncro) [Vanagon] Wrench Rating

All Wrench Ratings

RELATED PRODUCTS

1.9 to 2.1 Cooling System Conversion Bundle

2.1 Cooling Hose Clamp Kit

Coolant Bleed Ring Replacement Kit

Cooling Hose & Clamp H-Pipe Install Kit

16mm Heater Hose [Vanagon]

Radiator Coolant Hose Kit (Left & Right)

Cooling System Pressurization Pump Kit

Aluminum Coolant Elbow and Hose Replacement Kit

Coolant Hose (Bleeder Valve to 1.25" Coolant Pipe) [Early Vanagon]

Coolant Hose (Thermostat Housing to Bleeder Valve) [Early Vanagon]

Coolant Hose (Bleeder Valve to 1.5" Radiator Pipe) [Early Vanagon]

Hose Adapter Kit (H-Pipe to Expansion Tank) [Early Vanagon]

Coolant Hose (Radiator to Thermostat)

Coolant Hose (Thermostat Housing to Bleeder Valve) [Early Vanagon]

Crossover Pipe to Radiator Coolant Hose [Syncro]

8mm Coolant Hose

Water Pipe to Cylinder Head Radiator Hose

Front Heater Core Hose -Return

Front Heater Core Hose - Feed

Quick-Fix Self-Adhering Tape

Coolant Hose - Junction to Radiator [Late Vanagon]

Left Side Radiator Coolant Hose

Water Pump to H-Pipe Upper Coolant Hose [1900cc Vanagon]

Right Side Radiator Coolant Hose

H-Pipe to Radiator Pipe Coolant Hose [Syncro]

Coolant Hose (Distribution Tower to Crossover Pipe)

Coolant Hose - Thermostat Housing to Crossover Pipe [Syncro]

Expansion Tank to Water Pump Coolant Hose [Syncro]

Coolant Hose - Lower Crossover Pipe to Thermostat Housing [Syncro]

Thermostat Housing to Distribution Tower Coolant Hose

Thermostat Housing Pump Coolant Hose

Coolant Hose (Cylinder Head to Hose Junction) [Syncro]

Water Pump to H-Pipe Lower Coolant Hose [1900cc Vanagon]

Thermostat Housing to "T" Bleed Pipe Coolant Hose

Reservoir to Pump Coolant Hose

Coolant Hose (Water Pump to Elbow)

Coolant Hose (Cylinder Head to Hose Junction) [2WD Vanagon]

Coolant Hose (Coolant Expansion Reservoir to Outer Water Pipe)

Coolant Hose - Water Pump to Oil Cooler [Late Vanagon]

Coolant Hose - Oil Cooler to Pump Pipe [Late Vanagon]

Coolant Hose - Thermostat Housing to Oil Cooler [Late Vanagon]

Coolant Hose - Thermostat to Oil Cooler [Late Vanagon]