406 Heater outlet hose Sprung a Leak

It was on a Saturday ( 11 March 2006 ) 2:15 pm. Was crusing down towards Sungai Dua heading towards Bagan Ajam. Observing the temperature Gauge indicating ~ 90 degree C. This is not normal as my cooling system runs on Redline Water Wetter Coolant. On a normal day, the temperature should be just above 80 degrees C. Shelf that thought aside but keeps periodic glance at the gauge. Proceeded to the said rendezvous point to listen to a "Purist" hifi System.

The hifi "Sifu" was well prepared to feed me with "vegetarian" diet ( Purist ) first and then fed me the non-vege diet. I can tell that he is a person with a high degree of skill and knowledge in this " purist " hifi subject. The music played was enjoyable and guess now am confused, To be a Purist or a Non-Purist ? Well, will think about this.

At 4:15 pm, time for coffee and to Bagan. On the way there, the temp gauge was climbing and immediately I suspected something to do with the the cooling system. I was thinking it could be my heater core leaking again since I had it repaired sometime ago. But the cabin looks dry. Need to stop. I could tell that the high speed fan was kicking-in. As the distance was about few minutes more, I proceed to the Cafe and park at a spot that I could work on later.

Stops the engine and switch the ignition "ON" without cranking the start. let the fan spins to cool it. Yes.. you could see hot coolant flows out as indicated. Lock the car and went for coffee.
Called up Tai Hoong - Ah Ngan. Ask him about the hose and he said to come over to his shop. One thing he said was pleasing to the ear " I'll wait for you" unqoute.

About 5pm, the "Purist" drove me and my family to Tai Hoong. Talk to Ah Ngan and I was asked to follow him upstairs where he keeps his stocks of Peugeot and citreon parts. Could not find this heater outlet hose. Apparently not many people looks for it. Found a generic Japs hose that I could use. It was a little bit longer and well I could cut it. He charged me RM20 for it.

Went back to the car and open up the bonnet. Started working by removing the hoses. removing was easy. Using a plier, grip the 2 points of the clip and move it outward. Installing the new hose took me almost half an hour. The clip was too tight ( New hose ) and my old trusted pliers ( old John ) was having some "loose teeth". Hoses were in place but I couldn't hang on to the grip. It just keeps slipping in that tight working space. The clip just won't budge. My Purist friend was having "teh tarik" while I was struggling to insert the top clip into it's position.
My purist friends realised that my "old John" plier could not do the job, volunteered to go back to his home and get a better plier. I thank him for that and told him that I will keep on trying till he comes back. But if he don't see me, then I should be on my way. We bid farewell and had a laugh over it.

I guess "old John" wanted to proof that he still have some Juice left, he gave a good grip on the clip, slip it to it's position and Woaa laaah . It's in.. !!!. Poured bottles of water in and starts the engine. Keeps filling up the water and waits till it was 90 degrees C. called my Purist friend and told him it's OK. He was just about 5 mins away and waited for him. We met and bid farewell again. Drove to Alor Setar without any incident.

What I can say is that if I had not stop at the Purist house, I would be stuck on the highway. I believed the hose was already leaking and that was why the temperature was ~90 degrees on the highway. So it was a blessing in disguise and will buy another round of Ipoh White Coffee.