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Date:         Mon, 26 Aug 2002 11:01:53 -0500
Reply-To:     Ryan Heidcamp <RHeidcamp01@COMM-WORKS.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ryan Heidcamp <RHeidcamp01@COMM-WORKS.COM>
Subject:      Re: Which Radiator should I buy?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Jeesh, sorry for mentioning that I was getting sick of it. I put that in as more of a joke and a warning to others.

I realize that this is the case, but since I do not have the money to just replace parts before they fail, I have to do them when they fail. Luckily the van is not my daily driver and I am able to have down time with the van. This is also the reason that I have a rear heater core sitting at home waiting to go in. And I assume that once I replace the radiator and the rear heater core the front heater core will go once it gets cold out. I knew that the system is shot and needs some TLC, but what do you expect for a 900 dollar van. As for doing the service, its hard to do service on something you don't own. Now that I own it, I can do the yearly services. And once I have replace the radiator, the metal pipes, heater cores, everything that's metal for the most part will have been replaced and I can move onto solving other problems like, what do I want to eat for lunch today and so on.

Ryan

-----Original Message----- From: Doktor Tim [mailto:doktortim@rockisland.com] Sent: Monday, August 26, 2002 10:23 AM To: Ryan Heidcamp Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com Subject: Re: Which Radiator should I buy?

> But every time I replace a part on the >cooling system and fill the thing full of Autobahn, it springs another leak >in a few weeks and I'm getting sick of that. What would you guys and gals >do?

This is the problem with the Wasserboxers. As soon at the first leak develops, you must accept that the whole system is contaminated. There are dozens of connections in the system. Stop the weakest point that starts to leak and re-establish full pressure, and the next weakest begins leaking soon. If you service the system adequately, you never let corrosion get started. If, however, you service the system every 3 years and only pinch off the hoses and drain half the system like so many dealers and shops do, you will likely get through the warranty term, but very soon after you will be spot fixing leaks continuously.

I've seen this happen many times. Fix a leak. Hot run test and establish pressure. Inspect for leaks. None found. Take off with the kids and stereo blasting for a 100 mile drive. Burn up the motor before you hear it coming apart or see the steam trail in the rear view mirror. Put in a new motor. Repeat the process within a year or two.

The only way to stop the vicious circle is, service the full system YEARLY, and keep corrosion from ever getting started, or, upon the first leak, inspect the whole system and replace everything showing the beginning of corrosive evidence. If you cannot accept that, don't buy a Wasserboxer.


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