Date: Fri, 29 Jun 2001 07:41:42 -0400
Reply-To: Paul Cavanaugh <phonyexpress@IWAYNET.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Paul Cavanaugh <phonyexpress@IWAYNET.NET>
Subject: Re: 4th heater core burst in 1 year!
In-Reply-To: <LPBBJLCMHJOPCLHMMFECEEPECNAA.jbrschawn@earthlink.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" ; format="flowed"
Jere,
I have had AT fluid in my coolant (brownish sludge) since the first
differential cooler blew last summer. It never totally goes away,
although it is possible I am getting more in from a leak such as you
suggest. I don't know if I could detect a petroleum/oil leak in
addition to the AT fluid...
When the last cooler blew, I was driving on the freeway and the
transmission would no longer engage with the engine, leaving me
stranded.
I will ask to look at the cooler; I'd like to see where the break is.
The rear heater core may be a weak point for high pressure, as 4 of
these have gone in a year.
Will start with the cap. Someone suggested about 14 psi pressure -
hope my mechanic knows the exact figure.
Thanks!
Paul
>Paul,
>
>IMHO you have a head gasket leak or an oil cooler leaking into the coolant.
>Why do I say that?
>
>1. it appears that your coolant is contaminated and the contaminate is
>eating the seals, petroleum products will eat the rubber.
>
>2. If your system was over pressurized it would blow out the cap (should be
>checked)... good chance this over-pressurization comes from something that
>can produce a higher pressure that is in the system.... One of the things
>that come in contact with the coolant system is combustion pressure (head
>gasket leak).
>
>Things I would check.
>1. Look in coolant reservoir to see if there is a sheen on the surface of
>the coolant (you may have to take some out and put it in a clean bowl to see
>the sheen); and I would check the cap to make sure it releases at proscribe
>psig.
>
>2. if there is a sheen do compression check and check oil cooler.
>
>Thanks,
>
>Jere
>90 GL
>88 GL
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
>From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
>Paul Cavanaugh
>Sent: Thursday, June 28, 2001 4:41 PM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: 4th heater core burst in 1 year!
>
>My 1990 (180k miles) GL automatic just had it's 4th rear heater core
>burst in 12 months!
>
>It also has burst two (metal) differential coolers, flooding coolant
>into and ruining my transmission.
>
>Any ideas what could be happening?
>
>My friends are urging my to give up the car (and I am tired of
>pulling up the flooded carpet)!
>
>Thanks!
>Paul
--
'90 Vanagon (180k)
'84 Vanagon (217k)
'78 Microbus (175k)
