Date:         Tue, 9 Apr 2002 19:19:33 -0700
Reply-To:     Gerald Masar <azsun99@EARTHLINK.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Gerald Masar <azsun99@EARTHLINK.NET>
Subject:      Help with coolant system
Comments: To: vanagon@yahoogroups.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

First the questions (re: '90 Westy w 142K miles):
    Has anyone found or made a substitute for the air baffles on either side of, and
below, the radiator?
    The lower one is pretty much flat so shouldn't be a problem, but the two side ones
are shaped to
    fit and also flexible enough to install.

    I need suggestions on how to remove the small crimped-on clamps on the small hoses
going to
    and from the coolant rail around the top of the engine compartment.

I am deep into major maintenance on the cooling system:
    Dropped the radiator and removed the fan and actually took it apart (thanks Tim).
Oiled the
    bearings, cleaned the commutator and the brushes look like they are made to last
forever.
    Maybe that's why the motor is not made to come apart. I can't remember who
suggested it,
    but yes, removing the rad. hoses made putting the fan back easier. I had new
hoses, just didn't
    know how deeply I wanted to get into this at one time.

    R & R'd the rear heater core. Yes, it had been leaking, just not enough to come
through
    the plastic housing. Thanks to Ben in Canada for the great photos.

    Now working on hoses in the engine compartment and the plastic coolant
distribution tower,
    hence the question about the crimp fittings.

I am doing this work with the van only up on 2x6's, but that little extra helps.
Two things that have made it easier:
    The special hose clamp pliers. The jaws rotate so you can approach the clamp
straight on,
    or from the side. They also lock on once you have compressed the clamp.
    A creeper! By the end of the day, I can barely get off of it, but sure beats
cardboard. Sometimes
    I just roll out from under and stare up at the sky.

Jerry