Date:         Tue, 28 Aug 2001 11:34:35 -0500
Reply-To:     Larry Alofs <lalofs@ENTERACT.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Larry Alofs <lalofs@ENTERACT.COM>
Subject:      Re: Flashing coolant light?
Comments: To: Dominic Robertson <dominic.robertson@MAIL.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Dominic Robertson wrote:

> I have an 87 Westy Syncro petrol van, and during this summer we had an
> intermittent flashing coolant light.   I solved it by opening the coolant
> container and letting some air out.   I did this maybe 3 times in 4,000 kms,
> but the coolant light kept flashing every now and then.   Does anybody have
> any tips or tests to perform to work out if the problem is serious or
> nothing to worry about?   Also, how do you get new liquid in there since the
> cap is attached to the overflow container?
>
> Thanks for your help,
>
> regards
>
> Dominic

If your pressure cap is working correctly, air should be pushed out of the
pressure tank as the engine warms up and coolant should be drawn in as it cools
down.  Check the specs in Bentley and try to get the cap tested.
  Many of us experience intermittent flashing of this light for no apparent
reason.  The complex warning system seems to be trouble prone.
  If the flashing is truly caused by low coolant in the pressure tank and you
have a good pressure cap, "air" may be getting into the system thru a
compression leak at a cylinder. :-(

Larry A.