Date:         Tue, 12 Dec 2000 19:00:32 -0800
Reply-To:     Mark Dorm <mark_hb@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mark Dorm <mark_hb@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Bleeding the cooling system (some more)...
Comments: To: djs@GENE.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

Is that the stock thermostat? (80 degrees celsius?)


>From: Daniel Schmitz <djs@GENE.COM>
>
>Despite my best efforts at making sure the system is sealed and bled, my
>van continues to assert itself in the form of overheating. This usually
>occurs during initial warm-up, but only when the van's under load like
>driving on the freeway. The temp will climb to the high side, boiling
>over occasionally, and then will settle down to just above the LED.
>
>After that, it seems to more or less behave (although it runs hotter
>than it should due to loss of pressure/coolant), so that's why I think I
>have air in my system, rather than some more serious cause, like a
>cracked head or blown head gasket. The motor is a replacement factory
>unit with only about 25K on it, and the van runs flawlessly. The
>overheating seems to only occur upon initial warm-up, prior to the
>thermostat opening, so I think my air may be in that circuit.
>
>Have replaced: Expansion cap, thermostat (80 degree), one coolant hose
>that blew.
>
>I have bled the system according to Bentley procedure (both heaters
>open, nose elevated, bleeders cracked) but with no luck. However, I note
>on page 19.16 that Bentley specifies raising the nose of the van 10cm
>(4"). My driveway is sloped more than that, but I'm wondering if I have
>been bleeding the system with insufficient slope? I have heard some
>recommend that the nose should be elevated up to 24"
>
>I am thinking of bleeding one more time with more elevation, and if that
>doesn't work, I'll probably remove the thermostat to keep it from
>boiling over. I'm getting to the point of paying to have the van looked
>at, since I can't seem to solve this myself.
>
>Any advice will, as usual, be appreciated.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Dan

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