Date:         Fri, 13 Sep 2002 21:05:29 -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...
Comments: To: Fonni0365@CS.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed

The drain plugs weren't so bad for me...it was removing the upper bolts on
the pushrod covers.  Argh.

Are you reving the engine as you're bleeding the radiator?  This sucks the
coolant out of the expansion tank.  You should be filling continually as the
coolant level goes down.  While still reving, close the bleeder valve and
cap the expansion tank.  If, after it's warm, you let off the revs, it will
overflow back out the open expansion tank.

The "burning" smell may have just been the coolant overflowing onto the hot
exhaust.  Not sure about the rough running.

Also, did you flush the radiator before switching coolant?  I think the
system holds about 4.5 gal, and there's likely a lot of old coolant still
there.  BTW, I'm using Sierra coolant.  It's green.

James
90 Carat


>Reply-To: Fonni0365@CS.COM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Help! Changing coolant of 91 Westy...
>Date: Fri, 13 Sep 2002 21:25:03 EDT
>
>I can never imagine it can be so hard just to drain and refill the coolant
>of
>my new 91 Westy. It took me a while to finally unscrewed that drain plug
>and
>drain the coolant, it was green. I drain a little over 2 gal. I am trying
>to
>replace it with the phosphate free coolant (the pink stuff). I follow
>instruction of the Vanagon Official Repair Manual, set the heater to max
>heat, open the bleeder screw on radiator, jack up the van from the
>passenger
>side, then I open the bleeder valve in engine compartment (I found one at
>the
>far end from the coolant expansion tank, I think this should be it). I then
>pour the pink stuff into the expansion tank, it took a little over a gal
>and
>stop. I then start the engine and continue to pour another gal of coolant.
>The engine suddenly running rough and I smell something burning (a little
>bit), I got scared and turn off the engine. I then found coolant shooting
>out
>of the expansion tank, over the engine and on the floor, what a mess.
>I was afraid that the coolant may not have enter the engine compartment,
>that
>can really screw up the engine.
>Anyone, please help, what should I do next???
>
>Thanks
>
>Fonni
>One month of 91 Westy




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