Date: Sun, 31 Mar 2002 08:50:59 -0700
Reply-To: Andrew Fox <afox@CNR.COLOSTATE.EDU>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Andrew Fox <afox@CNR.COLOSTATE.EDU>
Subject: Reply to ben: bleeding & coolnat troubles...
In-Reply-To: <vanagon%2002033109094853@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=X-UNKNOWN
Ben,
I've been in your shoes and here is what I learned:
Reason why your rad may be cold and engine hot may be because you are not
running it fast enough to circulate coolant through the rad. The way the
vanagon rad is built the engine must be running at about 2000 rpm or more
to pump the coolant upto the bleed screw and into the cooling fins. The
only way to really know what is going on in the cooling system is to use
an infrared thermometer to check the temp in different parts of hte
cooling system. The gauge is not reliable. This is how the mechanics do
it. I've heard they are available at radio shack for around $50. Unless
you have a leak somwhere bleeding should not be hard. The way to check
for leaks is to put about 10psi on the coolnat tank and see it the system
holds pressure. This is one of theose situations where it may pay to go
into a shop where they have these easy to use tools instead of spending
hours on easter wasting your time without the proper equipment.
Good luck,
Andrew FOx
86 Westy
Ft. Collins CO
> So here is how I will spend my Easter day, TRYING TO BLEED MY DAMN VAN……
>
> The damn cooling / bleeding van is starting to pissed me off (I had no
> problem last year when I did the head gasket, I was lucky I guess), my
> front rad stay's cold like ice but I am at operating temperature in the
> back and slightly overheating. I have a faulty NEW thermostat (not very
> probable) or air stuck somewhere in the front……………….damn van, they should
> have done a better bleeding system (coming soon on my site if I can get the
> best out of it, I will!!!! believe me). For now I have to deal with my
> neibhor because I have spill so much coolant while trying to bleed the van
> that they gone a call "Environment Canada protection" and I will go in
> prison for that, I think that there is orange coolant a few streets from my
> house. (he he he)
>
> This is A 2 MAN JOB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!, you should have see me running
> everywhere yesterday whit coolant spilling everywhere trying to find my
> 13mm key to close the front bleeder, at the same time the "stick" that I
> put between the gas pedal and the seat (200RPM) fell off and the damn
> coolant pop off the expansion thank like the Niagara fall, so I try to shut
> the damn engine but the door was lock on the driver side…………..damn I look
> like an idiot running for is life.
> I was suppose to add about 2 gallons of coolant, I am at about at 4 now…
> Ok third attempt this morning, it's 9am Easter day and I am going do blow
> air!!!!!! Out of my 87GL monster van. (I hope)
>
> Cheers.
>
> 87GL
> http://www3.sympatico.ca/huotx/engine1.htm
>
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