Date:         Sat, 26 Feb 2000 11:24:55 -0600
Reply-To:     Marshall Ruskin <mruskin@PANGEA.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Marshall Ruskin <mruskin@PANGEA.CA>
Subject:      Re: Help, my 84 is burping coolant
Comments: To: Stuart <stuart@COBALTGROUP.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I am NOT a Mechanic.....

but it does seem to me that as "Maplecom" writes - perhaps his pressure cap
is bad - and he just has a big bubble in the cooling system.

There are definitive ways of determining if he has an internal leak -
including the testing of coolant for hydrocarbons - which can be done at an
independent mechanics shop.

Can somebody else add to this, as I am not a know-it-all, by any means.

Marshall Ruskin
84 Westy

>Chris,
>
>Sorry buddy, your soul is sold, your head gaskets are toast. Don't make
>any trips over a mile, and carry coolant (50/50 mix) to top off the
>expansion tank in the morning.  You need a new daily driver, or a head
>gasket replacement on this one.  You are the second person this week
>with this problem I am sorry to report.  The gasket job is a lot cheaper
>than a PT Cruiser!
>
>maplecom wrote:
>>
>> When I stop at the qwikimart after 10 minutes of driving or more I come
back
>> and find coolant leaking, apparently from around the threads on the
pressure
>> cap on the inside coolant tank.  If I open the cap I get sprayed.  If I
wait
>> and look later I end up very low on coolant.  I top it off but I think I
>> have the dread air bubbles becuase everything stays hunky dory unless I
have
>> to stop at a stoplight then the temp guage starts climbing to 3/4 or so
>> unless I turn on the front heater fan (the back heater fan only blows
cold).
>> Is the pressure cap bad?  I know if I let the machine cool overnight I
get
>> my overflow tank sucked dry from inside.
>>
>> Also, on my new alternator, which is different from the old one, does the
>> green wire go to D+ or th the W thing lower.  It runs either way but I'm
>> trying to stay away from that gray area between ignorant and stupid
because
>> this is my daily driver and if the engine goes again I'll have to sell my
>> soul for one of those new PT Cruisers
>>
>> Chris
>