Date: Tue, 26 Jun 2001 06:18:11 -0700
Reply-To: Brian Wawzonek <b_waz@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Brian Wawzonek <b_waz@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Coolant Loss?
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
Thanks for the responses, it was two items causing my loss of coolant. First
the heater valve that had a crack on the plastic portion of the fitting, and
yes the rad had a small leak on the side bottom as well. Probably small
enough that it evaporated and never left a puddle. Decided on a new german
rad and valve, runs great and definately cooler too. Those who suggested
check the spare tire for dried coolant were dead on in their diagnosis.
Thanks again
Brian
From: "Joel Walker" <jwalker17@earthlink.net>
Reply-To: "Joel Walker" <jwalker17@earthlink.net>
To: "Brian Wawzonek" <b_waz@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Coolant Loss?
Date: Sun, 17 Jun 2001 01:19:20 -0500
> I seem to be losing coolant, or seems that way. I noticed I was low
a month ago, had the shop fill it in the reserve tank. I didn't think
that it would change much when warmed up. A week later checked it and
it was down to min again. This week, still a little lower. No drips or
noticeable leaks anywhere, but did notice a bit of steam from the
front one rainy day when the van was warm from a highway trip. Will
the reserve tank change that much when initally low, or do I have a
slow leak somewhere that evaporates as it leaks?
the steam up front bothers me ... might be a radiator leak. :(
but what can also happen is that a hose clamp is old and tired, and
allowing some seepage ... just enough to wet the hose, but not enough
to drip. when you shut off the bus, the temps of the coolant hoses is
high enough to evaporate the seepage ... nothing ever hits the ground.
that happened to me once ... finally found it by crawling around and
looking at every stinking hose clamp while the engine was running for
15 minutes! :(
another way to find it is to blow talcum powder or chalk dust on the
suspected hose or clamp or wherever. run the engine for a while, then
let it sit for 30 minutes. come back and look at the powder: any
seeps/weeps/drips will have left a trail in the powder.
but also check the radiator, front and back, for any whitish
chalky-looking stuff. that's what dried coolant looks like (sort of
white weak birdshit. kinda. somewhat.).
good luck!
joel
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