Date: Wed, 21 Aug 2002 10:50:04 -0500
Reply-To: Larry Alofs <lalofs@ENTERACT.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Larry Alofs <lalofs@ENTERACT.COM>
Subject: Re: '85 Vanagon Sunroofy 1.9L - Coolant BLeeding/Thermostat/Fan
Switch
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The radiator is the highest point in the system. You *must* bleed the
air from it. Remove the grill. The bleeder is at the top corner of the
radiator on the left side as you face the front of the van. Its just an
ordinary looking 8mm bolt with a 13 mm head.
Get a helper to hold the RPMs at about 2000. It may help to elevate
the front of the van. With the rpms up remove the cap of the expansion
tank and pour in coolant till it run over a little. Run to the front
and remove the bleeder bolt. Let the air come out and replace it when
you get a steady stream of coolant. If hot, gloves might help reduce
pain. When the bleeder is tight, run to the back and add as much
coolant as you can. Replace the cap on the tank and then let your
helper lower the rpms.
Repeat this therapy as necessary.
Assuming your system is tight enough to hold pressure, you can leave
the grill off for a few days and carry the wrench with you. When the
engine is fully warm and immediately after shutting it off you can
cautiously loosen the bleeder just enough to release any air until a
little coolant seeps out.
Have fun,
Larry A.
Dustin Fitch wrote:
>
> Hey y'all. Recently did some work on the metal coolant lines on my Vanagon
> after an overheating incident. I lost alot of fluid and assume I have taken
> on alot of air. After my coolant line fix, I'm experiencing
> overheating/knocking of the pipes underneath like the pipes in an old house
> with steam heat. I am now in the process of bleeding the system. Can you
> folks check me on the process I'm using to bleed? I've poured over the
> archives about this and thermostats (which I have a question on too! I'm a
> little scared!).
>
> To bleed my system: At the start I filled the main water tank and filled
> the reservoir. I started the motor. There is a bleeder valve coming off a
> hose at the top back of my motor. I open that and boy, talk about steam
> heat...that baby is just steaming mad like crazy. My motor does not heat up
> past half way on the gauge though. So, I let that run a while at 2000 rpm.
> I shut down. Let the bleeder hissing stop and recap it. As the system
> cools down I can hear water in the system kind of sucking through
> there...not sure which way. Eventually, the main water tank drinks the
> reservoir and as it does, I fill the reservoir until it stops drinking,
> careful not to let it suck air. Then, I start over.
>
> The first time I did this, it didn't drink a whole lot...but the second and
> third times I did, it took a good drink. Well, that third time, the steam
> was still just as strong as ever and the only time I get a little bit of
> coolant to come out is when I shut down and as it cools, then the steam
> pisses out with some coolant.
>
> So, if I keep doing this, am I on the right track to getting all that air
> out? If there is a bleeder valve on the radiator up front on the bottom, I
> sure as hec cannot find it. The only one I see is coming off this hose at
> the top back of my motor. I mean, it may take longer using just this
> bleeder, but will I get it eventually if I keep doing what I'm doing?
>
> I ordered a thermostat when I was ordering some other parts....thinking,
> maybe I'm also having a thermostat problem. I've read the archives and see
> that people have had alot of trouble getting the lower thermo. housing past
> the exhaust....is it a real crazy job?...I know I'll have rusty bolts, I
> know it. Am I right that if I have heat on the motor and not at the
> radiator after warm up, that means the thermostat is not opening up??
>
> One last thing: My fan does not go on either.....I just got this van and it
> turns out the fan was disconnected under the spare tire!!! Connecting it,
> I've only had it go on once....i prompted it with a stick....it went
> on...but then did not wanna ever shut off!! Next time I started van and
> heated up, it would not come on, even with a prompt with the stick. Sound
> like the switch to y'all? I know the fan will work.....I saw it
> once!....but never again.
>
> Sorry for the wordiness, I'm just having this "series" of problems after the
> system blew the other day.
>
> Thanks,
> Dustin '85 Vanagon - "Chuba"
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