Date: Wed, 7 Aug 2002 16:07:37 -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: Re: Radiator Fan Switch Problem Fixed & Alternate Flushing Method
Tim,
FLUSH THAT COOLANT!!! Vanagons have enough problems with their cooling
systems without pushing it by running used up and contaminated coolant.
Coolant does loose its effectiveness over time. I suppose common wisdom
would be to change the coolant in any vehicle every 2-3 years with a
thorough flushing maybe every other time. I would suggest that the Vanagon
needs to be monitored a bit more closely than most vehicles as the coolant
is literally the life's blood of these engines and they do tend to be
hemophiliacs. You can also pick up a cheap tester to test the effectiveness
of your coolant.
The switch I purchased was only $12 and you might consider changing it
anyway even if it's not your problem. If your coolant is that old, than
it's very likely to be the source of your overheating. But if you think the
fan is coming on later than usual than by all means change it and stop
courting disaster. Besides, even if all you do is change the switch, you'll
be forced to replace nearly half of the coolant as a result and that can
only be good.
Here's a link for the switch. I bought the colder one.
http://www.bus-boys.com/bb121wb1.htm#two
PS. While your doing all this, take a real good look at all your hoses and
black plastic coolant pipes. You may be running hot as a result of having a
small leak which is bleeding off pressure.
Jeff
-----Original Message-----
From: PNC Allen [mailto:milpo_buff@cnrc.navy.mil]
Sent: Wednesday, August 07, 2002 3:07 PM
To: 'Warner, Jeff (DSIO-MS)'
Cc: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: RE: Radiator Fan Switch Problem Fixed & Alternate Flushing
Method
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!)