Date:         Fri, 13 Jul 2001 09:32:08 -0700
Reply-To:     Leon Korkin <korkwood@SURFREE.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Leon Korkin <korkwood@SURFREE.COM>
Subject:      Re: overheating
Content-Type: multipart/alternative;

This subject of overheating is being beat to death once again. Before spending big bucks replacing all parts of cooling system just go
under the belly and tighten all tubing clamps, check for leaks.
This problem although not restricted to Vanagons only is very common to it due to very long circuit
and a lot of connections including heaters(common culprits). Every single one must be airproof.
It doesn't cost any money to do it yourself.Mechanics(most) like to replace parts, this is how they make their living. It's your choice.

Leon
85 Subwagen Westy

Mike & Mary Collum wrote:

> Your list of symptoms and things tried could've been written about my '84 GL.
>
> I have a new radiator and a rebuilt waterpump and the thing that seems strange is that it takes forever for the radiator to get hot.
> (Hence the reason the fan doesn't come on until the engine is WAY hot).  Running both heaters with their fans on high keeps the
> gauge from pegging.
>
> By the time I can feel warmth across the radiator, the temp gauge is already passed 3/4.
>
> My heads don't leak coolant, but try as I may to prove otherwise .... I'm really starting to think that the head gaskets (combustion
> seals) are indeed the culprits.
>
> I'm still playing with it though .... and I'm watching replies to this thread with keen interest.
>
> Mike
>
> (living in denial for now)
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Andrew Fox" <afox@USGS.GOV>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2001 9:12 PM
> Subject: overheating
>
> > The symptom:
> > Van steadily gets hot upto about 7/8 of the temp gauge.  Running both
> > heaters on full blast while driving at highway speeds brings temp gauge
> > down to about 3/4.  With the new radiator the flow from the radiator bleed
> > screw is pretty good.  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 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 fuel gauges w/ new one.
> > 5.  Replaced thermostat with new normal (higher temp) one.
> > 6.  Replaced expansion tank pressure cap.
> > 7.  Tried running without thermostat.  Took a long time to warm up then ran
> > hot.
> > 8.  Replaced radiator.  Flushed all the coolant out of the system with
> > water.  Bled system thouroughly.  No more air bubbles from front bleed
> > screw.  Can't get anymore coolant in at the tank.
> >
> > Any ideas about what to do next?
> > How can I tell if my head gaskets are cracked or leaking?
> > H20 pump is definitley pumping something, maybe not enough?
> > Any ways to take the temperature of the van using an external thermometer?
> > How can I tell if my coolant hoses are clogged and where they are clogged?
> >
> >
> > Many thanks to all who have helped me so far with this problem especially
> > Ken at Vanagain and Boston Bob Donalds who offered advice on bleeding the
> > system and all who respond to this one.  I only have a few days left to fix
> > this problem because I have to move -with or without the van.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Andrew Fox
> > 86 Westfalia GL
> > 508-457-2356
> > www2.hawaii.edu/~andrewf/vanagon/links.htm

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