Date: Tue, 2 Jan 2001 17:25:39 EST
Reply-To: CMathis227@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Chuck Mathis <CMathis227@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: Request for Help - Overheating Problem
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
Dianne;
Before you get too far into this pop the engine cover and check the coolant
level sensor in the top of the tank just to the left of the overflow tank.
You may find that it is either encrusted with dried coolant or still wet with
coolant. The sensor may be shorting itself out by leaking coolant through
itself. Most likely you can clean everything with a paper towel, reconnect
it and your van will be happy until it leaks again. My '85 did this last
year and scared the doo out of me. I cleaned it up and it has worked just
fine until last week. I decided to order a new sensor and o-ring from the
Bus Depot. Shipping and everything is around $20.
Chuck
'85 Wolfsburg Westy - 'Roland'
In a message dated Tue, 2 Jan 2001 4:29:52 PM Eastern Standard Time, dianne
gigler <dlg@ANDREW.CMU.EDU> writes:
<< I have been using my '87 GL Westy as my daily driver for the past 5 months.
I am the third owner and have owned it for three years. It currently has
under 80k miles.
Recently I encountered a problem that I hope this group will assist me in
solving.
While driving yesterday, the red temperature light came on; the temperature
needle was about one-third to one-half of the way up. I immediately pulled
over, shut the engine off, and waited about five minutes. I restarted the
engine and everything appeared to be fine, but about two minutes later the
same thing happened. I drove to the nearest exit (about 2 miles) and drove
to an Ames located quite near the exit. I checked the level in the coolant
reservoir and it appeared to be empty. I went into the Ames and purchased
a gallon of Prestone coolant - the only brand they had in stock- and filled
the reservoir. I was surprised that less than one-fourth of the jug was
needed for the reservoir to reach the "max" level. I started the engine
and let it run for several minutes to see if the level in the reserve tank
went down. It did not, so I closed things up and drove away.
About three minutes later, the light came on again and the needle was below
the half-way mark. I checked the reserve tank level and it was still at
the "max" level. Against my better judgement, I decided to proceed to my
destination which was about seven miles away. The light remained on the
entire time, but once again the needle did not go beyond the half-way mark.
I made arrangements to borrow car and garaged the vanagon at my destination
after once again checking the coolant level which had not change.
I have limited mechanical abilities, but am willing to give most anything a
try. For financial reasons, I would like to avoid taking the vanagon to a
mechanic unless this is absolutely necessary. Given the location of the
van, the nearest VW mechanic would be at a small dealership five or six
miles away. I have basic metric tools and can purchase parts from a local
parts store that specialized in foreign vehicles or order from one of the
list vendors.
Any help - the more detailed the better- will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance for whatever assistance you can provide.
Dianne
>>