Agreed, The coolant pressure gauge readily shows the overnight residual vacuum (~ 1 to 2 inches), air in the system (rate at which pressure rises and max attained), head pressure vs. rpm, thermostat opening point and the point at which the radiator cap opens sending excess hot coolant to the overflow tank. The maximum running pressure also correlates with the coolant temperature. For example, turning on the AC (in my implementation) also triggers the low speed fan. This immediately reduces the coolant temperature and the response is seen with a 2 psi delta. Air in the '82 diesel heater circuit is also readily found. Equilibrate the system at max pressure, then open heater valve. No air, no pressure change. Air, pressure drop. Very useful device. BTW, I recently switched my coolant pressure gauge from the cheap JCW Boost gauge (~ $15) to the VDO Turbo Boost Gauge. I put in the 0 to 30 inch vacuum/0 to 15 PSI unit for more precision and got a bonus. The VDO Boost gauge has a sintered metallic frit at the gauge entrance to eliminate any possibility of water or coolant from getting into the sensing tube. Frank Grunthaner |
Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of
Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection
will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!
Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com
The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.
Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.