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Date:         Sun, 3 Feb 2002 20:12:53 -0600
Reply-To:     Chuck Hill <hilltech@NETINS.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Chuck Hill <hilltech@NETINS.NET>
Subject:      Re: Coolant pressure gauge mounting
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

The question is raised about where to tap into the cooling system to measure pressure.

In a closed hydraulic system, such as the cooling system in our Vanagons, the pressure everywhere in the system is very, very, nearly equal. Finding a place to tap off the system to sense the pressure can be done easily enough at the connections to the heater, in the area right ahead of the passenger seat. A "T" connection can be inserted in one of the heater lines there, it doesn't really matter which. The gauge will work equally well in either line.

You will see a difference, though slight, in cold and warm operation. If you lose coolant circulation because of a slipping water pump rotor, you get abnormally high pressure. If coolant level is low, the coolant level meter will alert you by blinking the led in the temperature gauge. If you blow a hose, likewise. After a hot engine is shut down, first you see a pressure rise, then a drop often to a low negative pressure for a short time. If you have engine compression leaking into the cooling system you see abnormally high pressure, and then overheating on the temperature gauge.

A pressure gauge is probably a worthwhile addition to our Vanagons, given the complexity of the system, and the costs associated with a severe overheating incident.

Chuck Hill

Chuck Hill


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