Date:         Fri, 13 Jul 2001 17:40:37 GMT
Reply-To:     jwarner@NETWALK.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jeff Warner <jwarner@NETWALK.COM>
Subject:      overheating

Andrew,

I may be coming into this discussion late and so may be suggesting something
that's already been discussed.  You say your fan comes on only when the gauge
is up to 9/10ths.  When it comes on does it sound normal or really loud?  The
fan is designed to run at two speeds but if the resistor blows - which seems to
happen often - then you will only get the high speed setting which kicks in at
a much higher temp.  In other words, is your fan coming on at it's low speed
setting when it should or at all.  If your resistor is bad, it's located behind
the drivers side headlight bucket.  Your symptoms sound very much like mine
when this resistor has gone bad.

Another thing you can try if my memory serves correctly, even though it seems
nuts, is to turn on your A/C if you have it.  When the A/C is on, the fan is
always on at the lower speed setting (this is the part I'm not sure of).
Regardless of what speed it runs at, try driving it this way and see if your
temperature isn't corrected.

Hope some of this helps.

Jeff Warner
'86 Westy Weekender "Barry"
'87 GL "Van"
Bunch of other stuff.

> -
> Date:    Fri, 13 Jul 2001 02:34:04 -0400
> From:    Mike & Mary Collum <collum@BANGORNEWS.INFI.NET>
> Subject: Re: overheating
>
> 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
>
> ------------------------------