Date: Wed, 7 Aug 2002 13:19:41 -0400
Reply-To: "Warner, Jeff (DSIO-MS)" <Jeff.Warner@DSIO.DLA.MIL>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Warner, Jeff (DSIO-MS)" <Jeff.Warner@DSIO.DLA.MIL>
Subject: Radiator Fan Switch Problem Fixed & Alternate Flushing Method
Yeah!
Every once in awhile something goes right! You may recall that I suspected
that my low-speed fan switch was kicking in at too high a temperature.
Somewhere just shy of 3/4 on the gauge or as another list member suggested,
2 needle widths past the LED. Others on the list confirmed that their's
were coming on at about the same point while still others and my past
experience with my '87 seemed to indicate otherwise. Last night I finally
did my flush and fill and replaced the switch at the same time. Eureka!
Now the fan kicks in just as the needle passes the LED! It also seems to
stay on for a shorter period of time probably due to the temperature not
being as great and therefore easier for the fan to correct. BONUS!
I should also mention that I tried a different approach to my flush and fill
which proved quite easy. I used the switch hole in the bottom of the
radiator to do the draining. On average I would get about 1.5 - 2 gallons
each time I drained it. I left the bleeder screw (bolt) out of the top of
the radiator so that it could fill completely without air issues while I
refilled with the engine running at the main tank in back. I would refill
until it wouldn't take anymore and then wait for the thermostat to open and
the radiator to fill up. Then continue to pour it in until it the tank was
full. I'd shut off the engine and pull the switch (DANGER! DANGER! DANGER!
You can easily scald yourself here if you're not careful and especially if
you let the engine get too hot. I used heavy duty elbow length rubber
gloves and stood out of the way.) Put the switch back in, start her up and
start pouring in the water again. Very simple. I also back washed the
radiator a few times to speed things up. After about 4 times, the water was
running clear. I then ran a cleaner through the system which then took
about another 4 flushes to clean out. Then I started pouring in the
distilled water to try and displace as much of the tap water as possible.
After two more flushes, I added the coolant and was thrilled that by the
time I got done bleeding the system and filling the overflow, I'd used
nearly the entire two gallons! Yeah! Another note: I did all of this
except for the final bleeding, with the back of the van up on ramps. Not
sure if it made a big difference in how much drained out but I'd like to
think it did.
Jeff Warner
Galloway, OH
'87 GL Weekender "Van"
'86 Wolfsburg Westy Weekender "Barry"
CI 94 (including compressors!)
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