Date:         Sat, 7 Sep 2002 07:37:18 -0400
Reply-To:     kdlewis@JUNO.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ken Lewis <kdlewis@JUNO.COM>
Subject:      Re: 1990 Carat...Overheating Saga that won't end....Help????
Comments: To: kevindobrien@YAHOO.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Kevin;
        Our 85 acted exactly like yours, fine while subject to light
loads, overheated going up hills. Trouble shooting this problem was truly
a daunting task. Several faults can give the same symptoms, stuck
thermostat, bad water pump, head gaskets, etc..
        I (finally) had the radiator professional cleaned out to solve
the problem. I think your vehicle is not getting rid of enough heat, you
proved this yourself by running the rear heater. As for the air in the
system, it could be due to steam. After all these years I find it hard to
believe it has not been bled correctly at least once.
        Here are a couple of things to test. An infrared thermometer
(hand held, touchless temperature sensor) would come in very handy. Ask
your mechanic if he has got one. Check the temp on the  inlet and outlet
hose of the radiator. What is the difference in temp? Compare this to the
rear heater core which seems to be doing most of the cooling.
        Scan the surface of the radiator. Are there huge cold spots?
Admitedly this can be hard to do in the car. I ended up removing the
radiator (not as hard as it sounds) and running hot water to it. This way
you can check both sides, there is a front and rear core.

Good Luck and Drive Safely
Ken Lewis
86 Crewcab, 60 356 T-5
http://Neksiwel.20m.com/

On Fri, 6 Sep 2002 18:15:22 -0700 kevin obrien <kevindobrien@YAHOO.COM>
writes:
> Hello All:
>
> Short history...
> Last December a coolant hose blew....Vanagon
> overheated...cooked my head gasket..... Van ran fine on
flats...overheated on long, steep hills.....
> Now...here is another oddity. My front fan/blower
> doesn't work. I've been using the rear blower/heater
> to pull heat off the engine when she gets hot. When I
> do this the vent by my right foot (above accelerator)
> blows cold....but will suddenly start blowing hot
> air...and the engine temp will drop. Then it will blow
> cold again.
>

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