Date:         Thu, 9 May 2002 16:13:03 -0400
Reply-To:     David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Coolant System Pressure Gauge
Comments: To: Jay L Snyder <Jay.L.Snyder@USA.DUPONT.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <OFC9210287.A6B0E021-ON85256BB4.004B0505@lvs.dupont.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

At 09:59 AM 5/9/2002, Jay L Snyder wrote:
>the passenger side wiper and started the engine.  Pressure goes up to 3 or
>4 psig pretty quickly, and after 5 minutes or so, climbs to 12 to 13 psig.
>Revving the engine causes a slight increase, but at steady rpms, it again
>levels out around 12 psig.  This is at or near the cap pressure setting.

Jay, I bet if you measure back at the engine you'll get a lower reading --
I think operating pressure is typically around 5-7 psig.  I think you're
seeing the effect of the water pump pushing against the closed thermostat
or perhaps a plugged radiator?

Darrel's been running a pressure gauge for a long time and I think he
posted some numbers once that agreed with what I saw when I hooked a gauge
to the pressure cap (with the check valve jammed open) for a few days --
well under ten running in normal temperate conditions, spikes up for a
while after you shut down, eventually goes down to slight vacuum after
cooling overnight.

david


--
David Beierl - Providence, RI
  http://pws.prserv.net/synergy/Vanagon/
'84 Westy "Dutiful Passage"
'85 GL "Poor Relation"