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Date:         Wed, 7 Aug 2002 15:07:19 -0400
Reply-To:     PNC Allen <milpo_buff@CNRC.NAVY.MIL>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         PNC Allen <milpo_buff@CNRC.NAVY.MIL>
Subject:      Re: Radiator Fan Switch Problem Fixed & Alternate Flushing Method
Comments: To: "Warner, Jeff (DSIO-MS)" <Jeff.Warner@DSIO.DLA.MIL>
In-Reply-To:  <21517B66105AD211BE7C00A0C9E580EE044C6E72@avenger.dsio.dla.mil>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

excellent info!!! how often should someone flush the cooling system? I never have. been driving same van for 8 years. noticed lately my temp running high, and the cooling fan not coming on soon enough (my opinion). how much was the new low speed fan switch?

thanks!

tim allen buffalo ny

-----Original Message----- From: Warner, Jeff (DSIO-MS) [mailto:Jeff.Warner@DSIO.DLA.MIL] Sent: Wednesday, August 07, 2002 1:20 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM 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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