Date: Sat, 14 Sep 2002 08:58:56 -0700
Reply-To: james v <tornadowagen@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: james v <tornadowagen@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Help! Changing coolant of 91 Westy...
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
>Thank you Jerry for your help. Would you please check the spelling of the
>site again, the server could not fine it. I do not have experience flushing
Check his link again, it worked for me.
>an engine, I really need help doing this. You are right, I drain only 2 gal
>of green coolant, still more than 2 gal in there now mix with the pink
>stuff.
>Now I have no choice but to get it done.
I don't think you'll be able to get all the coolant out unless you
disconnect every pipe. But at least pull off the lower radiator hose to
drain more coolant. It's probalby easier to access this at either end of
the long rigid pipe that runs underneath the van rather than at the
radiator. If you look just behind the spare tire, there's a good place to
access it. Follow the hoses to the radiator to see which one is the lower
hose.
To flush, disconect the expansion tank return hose. This is the hose that
goes from the rear of th van (top of engine bay, just beneath the rear lip
above license plate door) to the expansion tank. Route this hose into a
garden hose or funnel so it will empty into a bucket once you start
flushing.
Open the expansion tank cap and fill with water. Start the van and let
idle, topping off the water with a garden hose as the level goes down.
Don't let the expansion tank run dry. Have a helper rev the engine to 2000
and continue adding water. Instead of returning into the expansion tank,
the water will be routed out to your bucket. Be sure to capture old coolant
and dispose of properly. Keep doing this until it runs clear.
It's my understanding that this won't flush the radiator, since the
thermostat is closed. So, I just pulled off the upper and lower radiator
hoses and used a garden hose/nozzle to shoot water through it. But I doubt
it did much good.
>I am not sure about the heater valve under the seat, would you please tell
>me
>the proximate location under the seat? I am also not sure where is the
The heater is, of course in the center beneath the rear seat. With the seat
up, you should see a cicular opening in the passenger side of the heater
box. In it, there's a plastic lever. Pull toward the front of the van to
open.
>bleeder valve in the engine compartment, the picture in the book look very
>dark, I cannot tell. I found one valve on the far end from the coolant
>expansion tank, I can turn it with my fingers, is that it?
That should be the one. It turns about one revolution, I think.
>I found the Official Repair Manual of Vanagon is for experience mechanic
>only. What I need is the Official Vanagon Repair Manual for Dummy... Thanks
>again
I've heard that the Haynes Manual is much easier to understand.
Good Luck,
James
90 Carat
>Fonni
>91 Westy
>
>
>Here is a link to site with lots of good information for Vanagon owners
>new
>and old.
>
> http://www3.sympatico.ca/huotx/engine1.htm
>
>Scroll down to the last item under "Cooling System".
>When you drained the old coolant, did you also remove the lower radiator
>hose? If not,
>you only drained the engine area.
>Ben (at the above site) makes it all seem pretty complicated, but the
>important part
>is to keep the RPM"s up while you add coolant. Also don't forget to open
>the
>heater
>valve under the rear seat. And while you are there, check the floor area
>around it for
>the site and smell of leaking coolant. This rear heater is known to develop
>leaks.
>You might also go to the www.vanagon.com site and see the resources there
>and
>even
>search the archives. They are full of information on this subject.
>Good luck,
>Jerry
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