Date:         Fri, 14 Dec 2001 12:04:34 -0400
Reply-To:     Malcolm Stebbins <MSTEBBIN@MSVU1.MSVU.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Malcolm Stebbins <MSTEBBIN@MSVU1.MSVU.CA>
Organization: Mount Saint Vincent University
Subject:      Re: Cooling system woes
Comments: To: "Kris S. Seago" <KSeago@MAIL.UTEXAS.EDU>
In-Reply-To:  <B83EA3AB.174B%KSeago@mail.utexas.edu>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

My experience with coolant problems leads me to believe
that the cap on your coolant reservoir tank is not holding
pressure.  As long as the van is moving, the coolant is
not boiling, but at a traffic light the coolant heats up and,
with no pressure on the cap, the coolant expands/boils
over into the expansion tank (on left behind license plate).
 The system is designed to operate at pressure (I can't
remember - 8 or 16 psi), that lowers the boiling point (as I
understand it).  The caps are cheap and one can get
them tested.  If you search the archives, and read it all,
you'll know more about coolant problems that anyone
else.

Of course I assume that 1) the system has been properly
bleed (Front rad., rear heater, thermostat).  Right or
wrong, how about getting back to me, I like to know when
I guess correctly/incorrectly.  Malcolm

On 13 Dec 2001, at 18:27, Kris S. Seago wrote:

> My 1984 Westy (original 1.9L) will consistently "burp"
> coolant from the overflow tank if I fill it anywhere between
> the Min and Max marks. Highway driving is fine, but if I do
> a little stop-and-go driving, the temp gauge will creep
> above the halfway point and at the next stop I can be
> virtually guaranteed of some burping coolant from the
> expansion tank. What gives?
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> Kris S. Seago