Date:         Sun, 9 Jan 2000 22:14:12 -0000
Reply-To:     David Clark <DavidClark@HUMBERONIA.FREESERVE.CO.UK>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Clark <DavidClark@HUMBERONIA.FREESERVE.CO.UK>
Subject:      Boiling Point
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Seeking some ideas
Each year with a fully loaded camper I have to climb Mountain passes, so we
are talking 2nd gear, 20-25mph for 20 minutes - half an hour.  The
temperature gauge goes from the left side of warning light (normal) to the
right side but never off the gauge whilst climbing.  If I stop when the road
levels out usually to pay a road toll, or slow down for the customs post -
clouds of steam appear from the back as coolant overflows from the pressure
cap onto the exhaust.  Similar scenario daily basis on holiday - empty
vehicle except for passengers, mountain climbing 10 mins max, 1st gear loose
gravel (could do with syncro).  Get to house level ground engine still
running but coolant spills out onto exhaust - loads of steam.
On neither occasion does the gauge read hot, and cooling fan only comes on
when on level and engine ticking over.

Theory water pump cannot cope pushing water up to radiator when camper is on
steep incline?  Water boils in engine because of heat build up - very hot
water not reaching radiator? Any thoughts similar situations from the list?
Any way of solving?

The rest of year cooling no problem, have replaced pump / pipes / flushed
radiator this has happened every year for last 4 years, over 50k miles.

David Clark
1985 VW Autosleeper VHT 1.9 2WD
www.soft.net.uk/vwt2oc
(see members rides)
1960 Humber Super Snipe Estate 3L
www.humberonia.freeserve.co.uk
1988 Fiat Uno 1.1L automatic (wife's)