Date:         Fri, 11 Oct 2002 10:56:53 -0400
Reply-To:     "Warner, Jeff (DSIO-MS)" <Jeff.Warner@DSIO.DLA.MIL>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Warner, Jeff (DSIO-MS)" <Jeff.Warner@DSIO.DLA.MIL>
Subject:      Air in the system
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

This is an interesting proposition but I have a concern.  Is it possible
that the Vanagon, like its Beetle brethren, is designed to float on water?
If so, won't this create a problem getting the entire cooling system below
the water line?  Won't it be necessary to open the side door to let water in
until such time as the radiator goes under?  I think it's probably real
close so only a few dozen gallons would be required.  Then the door can be
closed and you can proceed to don your scuba gear and start reattaching the
hoses and closing the bleeders.  It may also be necessary to counterweight
the front end unless you have access to a pool with a shallow end you can
drive into so that the back end can't be carried under by it's greater
weight.

Would this also be something to consider for fire prevention instead of the
various caustic fire extinguishers available or trying to toss sand.  Maybe
a beach would provide the ultimate solution!

Jeff Warner
Galloway, OH
VW stuff swimming in the pool.


> Why do it the easy way if you can have it more complicated? It's much more
of
> an adventure to raise the front of the car 40cm above the back, then climb
> into the driver's seat and rev the engine at 2500RPM while waiting for the
> coolant to shoot out the bleeder. If I had a pool I'd submerge the van in
> coolant up to the steering wheel, then open all the hoses and let the air
> bubbles escape ... and at the same time I can check where my propane is
> leaking out.
>
>