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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...
Comments: To: Fonni0365@CS.COM
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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