At a total capacity of 4.6 gallons, if your mechanic uses one gallon that would be 22% coolant...

The owner's manual for my 90 Westy Syncro says, "The coolant additive proportion must be at least 40% but not more than 60%."

The purpose of coolant is not just to keep the liquid in the cooling system from freezing... it also contains anti-corrosive elements that help to keep your head gaskets and other things from going bad... and it lowers the boiling point... especially important in hot climates...

The 50% coolant thing is pretty basic stuff that all mechanics familiar with the Vanagon would know like the back of their hands.... beware the guy they wants to use only 22%... what else might he screw up at your expense?????

Good Luck, Bill ----- Original Message ----- From: "Mick Kalber" <hotlava@INTERPAC.NET> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Tuesday, September 05, 2000 4:02 PM Subject: 89 Syncro Westy WBX Coolant/Gear Oil Questions

> Just about to change coolant in my 89 syncro westy as well... my (very) > trusted mechanic says he usually puts in one gallon of non-phosphate coolant > and adds water to fill, which I guess would be a little more water than > coolant in the end. Since we live in a very moderate climate... 55 degrees > to 95 degrees year round, what does the list think about that? Should I > insist on a 50/50 mix anyway? > > Also changing the gear oil since the bus is an 89 and I don't know the > history... my guess is that it's never been changed. They normally use > Valvoline 80-90 wt Hypoid gear oil. APE Service says it is rated for GL-4 > and GL-5 use. I've been following the threads about this and have pretty > much decided that GL-4 is the only way to go, but what about this? It is a > hypoid, which is the correct one, right? Don't know if it is a synthetic. > > Thoughts? > > Mick Kalber > 89 Syncro Westy "Daddy-O" > Tropical Visions Video, Inc. > 62 Halaulani Place Hilo, Hawaii 96720 > ph. 808-935-5557 fax 808-935-0066 > hotlava@interpac.net > www.volcanoscapes.com >