Date: Sun, 9 Jan 2000 17:56:28 -0500
Reply-To: Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Bulley <gmbulley@BULLEY-HEWLETT.COM>
Subject: Re: Boiling Point
Here are my thoughts...
There are two different tolerances in place here... one is the boiling
point of your coolant, and one is the pressure tolerance of your
overflow-regulating cap on the expansion tank.
If you mix your coolant properly, it will boil at about 240 F. If you hit
240, your gauge would indicate HIGH, and (I think) your light would be
flashing. That isn't what is happening. Right? Right.
What IS happening, is your expansion tank cap is belching coolant. This (in
many situations) is perfectly normal. That is why it is there. My Jetta
belches coolant from time to time, under circumstances similar to what you
describe. It is probably more dramatic for you, since the coolant in a
Vanagon hits the exhaust...Steam City. Looks dramatic. A couple ounces of
coolant can make a LOT of steam.
But on the other hand, your cap may be releasing pressure at too low a
temp. I'm on my second cap on my Jetta, because the original got to the
point where it would release at the nearest nothing. Maybe that's the case
here. Buy a new cap. They are about $12-$15.
Cheers.
G. Matthew Bulley
Bulley-Hewlett
Corporate Communications Counselors
www.bulley-hewlett.com
Cary, NC USA
888.468.4880 tollfree
"I, the undersigned, shall forfeit all rights, privileges, and licenses
herein and herein contained, et cetera, et cetera . . . fax mentis
incendium gloria culpum, et cetera, et cetera . . . memo bis punitor
delicatum!" It's all there, black and white, clear as crystal! -Wonka
-----Original Message-----
From: David Clark [SMTP:DavidClark@HUMBERONIA.FREESERVE.CO.UK]
Sent: Sunday, January 09, 2000 5:14 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Boiling Point
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)
