Date:         Thu, 10 Oct 2002 19:19:16 -0400
Reply-To:     "John P. Flaherty" <jflahert@MAINE.RR.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "John P. Flaherty" <jflahert@MAINE.RR.COM>
Subject:      Re: Air in the system
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

About 4 years ago, when I first joined the list, I presented what I thought
was a simple idea for filling the cooling system. Although a lot of people
told me it wouldn't work, no one gave an explanation as to why. I haven't
tried it, but the question still bugs me. The question is this:

If the problem with the vanagon cooling system is that the fill point is not
the highest point in the system then why can't you just extend the height of
the fill point, i.e. clamp a 2 foot length of hose to the opening in the
tank and pour the coolant in through that? It would be much higher than the
radiator, and should therefore force air out through the radiator bleed
screw.

Now I have no science background, so I may be completely wrong and that's
fine. But if I am I'd love to get an explanation of why from someone who
does have such a background.

John Flaherty
Portland, Maine
'84 GL

----- Original Message -----
From: "Simon Reinhardt" <simon@FARRSIDE.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, October 10, 2002 3:38 PM
Subject: Re: Air in the system


> The problem seems to be that everyone thinks this method will force the
> air back into some other part of the system.
> Now, I'm no fizzics perfessor, but empirical evidence gathered over my
> lifetime would suggest to me that, with all other bleeders and caps
> closed, opening the radiator bleed hole while there's a bottle of fluid
> trying to get into it will put fluid into the bleed hole... and force
> any air OUT THE SAME HOLE.
> Any fluid dynamical types out there who know a reason why this wouldn't
> hold true, please post your experiences...
> -Simon
>
> On Thursday, October 10, 2002, at 12:39  PM, wb6otg wrote:
>
> > I have posted this solution a time or two also, but no one seem to
> > want to do it this way.
> >
> > Bill
> >
> > ---------------------------
> >  I don't know if anyone remembers this but awhile back I posted a
> > solution
> >  to filling the radiator from the bleeder hole with the engine cold.
> > You
> >  use a plastic juice jug and a 3 feet length of aquarium air line.
> >  Puncture the bottom of the juice jug so the hole will fit the air line
> >  snugly. Put the other end in the radiator bleed hole. Fill the jug
> > with
> >  premix fluid and fill till fluid comes out the bleed hole. You won't
> >  believe how fast and easy this method is. It is also fool proof. Hope
> >  everyone gets it this time. Aloha, Ed Sato
> >
>