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Date:         Sun, 10 Mar 2002 10:18:30 -0800
Reply-To:     Ben McCafferty <ben@KBMC.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ben McCafferty <ben@KBMC.NET>
Subject:      Re: Bleeding the front radiator
Comments: To: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
In-Reply-To:  <000001c1c855$fbad2b90$6202a8c0@dadspc>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Hmmm....well, I guess the Bentley has got it all wrong then? Your procedure does sound pretty good, but I am at a loss on the "thermostat bypass valve" you mention--I assume it's a way to manually open the thermostat? That would be perfect.... On raising the front, I have always assumed that was to get air bubbles to work their way to the bleeder screw. How does your method take care of that? I am not suggesting that he add cold water to the warm engine--room temperature mixed with coolant, then diluted in the tank, will not cause warped heads. Isn't 70% coolant WAY too much? I thought the range was something like 45-55%, or maybe 40-60% Anyway, I'd like to hear more... tx, bmc :) "Faith will move mountains, but you'd better bring a shovel...."

> From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET> > Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET> > Date: Sun, 10 Mar 2002 12:06:51 -0500 > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM > Subject: Re: Bleeding the front radiator > > NO NO NO! Do not warm up the engine. A warm engine makes the coolant > turn to vapor with the coolant system open. This makes bleeding > difficult. Also, never add coolant to a hot running engine. Helps make > warped heads. Also, there is no need to raise the front. In fact it > makes things harder as you have to raise the coolant that much further > to bleed the system. Try this procedure. > > 1) Engine should be dead cold. If not successful bleeding in 10 minutes, > Walk away, have lunch, beer etc, come back later. > > 2) Prepare coolant supply, have ready. Pre-mixing will make it easier to > keep proper ratio. > > 3) Open thermostat bypass valve and valves to both heater cores. > > 4) Fill main reservoir as much as possible. Allow time for as much > coolant to fill into engine as possible. > > 5) Start engine. Use something to hold engine speed around 2,000 to > 2,500 rpm. > > 6) Open radiator bleeder (partner will help). > > 7) Continue to fill cooling system while air is being expelled from > bleeder and reservoir. > > 8) When both flow water steadily, close radiator bleeder, then reinstall > cooling pressure cap, (It was tested and know to be good?). You can also > close the bypass now. > > 9) Allow engine to return to normal idle speed. > > 10) Return heater valves to where you want them. Test system. Make sure > radiator fan works. Don't forget to top off the expansion tank behind > the license plate. Any residual air will eventually work its way out. If > not, than you a problem. > > 11) After van is operated for a while, test coolant concentration to > make certain you have the proper mixture, (50-70%). > > Dennis > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf > Of Ben McCafferty > Sent: Sunday, March 10, 2002 11:23 AM > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM > Subject: Re: Bleeding the front radiator > > Raise the front of the van 10cm or 40cm, depending on which version of > Bentley you believe, warm up the van until the thermostat opens, hold > the > engine at 2000 RPM with the pressure cap off, and crack the bleed screw > on > the radiator. It's a 13mm on the passenger side, top. Don't take is > all > the way out, just loosen it. Add coolant/water mixture as needed in the > tank, and watch the stream coming out of the radiator. When it runs > free of > bubbles, you can close the screw. Make sure to close the pressure cap > before you drop the engine below 2000 RPM or it will blow hot coolant > everywhere. > > Some guys do this process several times over a week or so to make sure > you > get all the bubbles. > > tx, > bmc :) > "Faith will move mountains, but you'd better bring a shovel...." > > >> From: Chris Winesette <Chriswinesette@AOL.COM> >> Reply-To: Chriswinesette@AOL.COM >> Date: Sun, 10 Mar 2002 10:53:32 EST >> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM >> Subject: Bleeding the front radiator >> >> What is the best way to bleed the front radiator? >> >


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