Date:         Fri, 21 Sep 2001 18:50:13 -0500
Reply-To:     wolfgang <wolfgang@PIPELINE.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         wolfgang <wolfgang@PIPELINE.COM>
Subject:      Re: head gasket problem ?
In-Reply-To:  <3BAB79FF.21C2E320@charter.net>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

Well, I thank you all for your answers.  I don't think it's as minor as
some suggestions like time for new coolant.  I failed to mention
that when the expansion tank is full, it's FULL higher than the cap
and there is a distinct smell of coolant at the outside real of the
vehicle from the little bit seeping from the cap.

Since sending the message this morning, I've had it happen twice
today in local driving.  That tells me two things:

1) It needs to be bled since relieving the pressure at the cap isn't
getting all the gases out.

B) Despite theory #1, it's getting worse, since the gases are
building up faster with shorter trips.

Based on the replies, my analysis may be correct.  There's still an
outside chance that the cap is the culprit.  So here's my plan:

A) Try a pressure cap that is not giving problems from another
Vanagon which I conveniently have parked in the driveway.  If this
solves the problem, spend the $11 to order a new one.

2) If plan A does not work, on Monday, bring it to a garage to get
the coolant sniff test suggested by several folks.

III) Start saving up for a head gasket job.

If it is combustion gases, does it make the coolant corrosive ?
Wondering if it's not a good idea to use it for short trips anymore.

Thanks everyone !


On 21 Sep 2001, at 12:33, John Rodgers wrote:

> wolfgang wrote:
>
> > I've got an 88 Westy that I've had for about 3 months.
> >
> >  About 100 miles from home, the red overheat light starts
> > blinking.
> >
> >  the light comes on again.  This time, I notice the
> > reservoir is full - the one behind the license plate.  The other
> > coolant tank has an air pocket.  So I get a water bottle, slowly
> > loosen the cap, let out the pressure and top it off.
> >
> > This same thing happened once on the way back.  But the needle
> > never gets any higher than pointing at the light.
>
> > Could the head gasket be slowly leaking combustion gases into the
> > water jacket ?
>
> Wolfgang, you have hit the nail on the head. If the system is
> operating correctly, as the coolant expands when it is rising to
> operating temperature, coolant will flow from the expansion tank into
> the overflow tank. That is proper.
>
> That is happening, which says to me that the expansion cap is
> operating correctly. So don't rush out and buy a new cap.  The air
> bubble suggests that gases under pressure from some source are getting
> into the cooling system, and affecting the resistance in the coolant
> level sensor probe, causing the warning light to come on and blink.
> Obviously if you had to releive the pressure in the expansion tank to
> top it off, the expansion cap is working correctly. So your troubles
> are elsewhere. And unfortunately, logic says its head gaskets leaking.
>
> Before spending any great amount of money, take your rig to a garage
> and have them do  sniff test on the coolant. They should be able to
> tell fom the chemical traces that are picked up if you have combustion
> seal leakage.
>
> Good luck.
>
>
> John Rodgers
> 88 GL Driver
>
>