Date:         Thu, 5 Jul 2001 09:25:33 -0400
Reply-To:     Andrew Fox <afox@USGS.GOV>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Andrew Fox <afox@USGS.GOV>
Subject:      need help: overheating problem
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

The symptom:
Van steadily gets hot upto about 7/8 of the temp gauge.  Running both
heaters on full blast brings temp gauge down to about 3/4.  When I bled the
system the radiator bleed screw only dribbled coolant and took a long time
to get all the air out.  Others have said the flow should be faster.  Also,
when the van warms up it seems to take a long time for the radiator to get
hot (several minutes after the temp gauge is at 3/4).  Also the radiator
fan does'nt come on until the temp gauge reads about 9/10!

What I've done already:
1.  Flushed system with water by installing flush tee in front heater
return hose.
2.  Replaced Green coolant (from PO) with Orange Prestone extended life and
bled the system
3.  Replaced temp gauge sensor twice (thought it might be faulty).
4.  Replaced voltage regulator for temp and fule gauges w/ new one.
5.  Replaced thermostat with normal (higher temp) one.
6.  Replaced expansion tank pressure cap.

What I'm considering doing next and need advice on:
I just called my local radiator repair shop and they said they can't do the
professional flush on the vanagon radiator because the side tanks don't
come off.  Anyone have info on this?  They said I should replace the
radiator if I think its clogged, however I don't know if it really is
clogged.  The only other thing I can think of is the water pump.  There is
no coolant leaking from it and the coolant tank return line is hot.  Has
anyone ever heard of a water pump that does not pump enough water?  Is
there another way to test water pump performance?  I've only heard of them
leaking coolant when they fail.

I'm under a time and financial crunch to get this fixed because I'm moving
across the country in my van next friday!

Thank you for your help,
Andrew Fox
86 Westfalia GL
508-457-2356

see:
www2.hawaii.edu/~andrewf/vanagon/links.htm