Date:         Mon, 14 Jul 2003 04:29:28 -0400
Reply-To:     Vanagon Man <vgonman@MSN.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Vanagon Man <vgonman@MSN.COM>
Subject:      2.1L coolant light problem
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

This is on a neighbor's van............

They have a vw reman engine in their van that was installed about 2 years
ago, Maybe 30k miles on the motor.  They say that the car runs great, but if
they get stuck in traffic somewhere, the coolant gauge needle climbs almost
to the top, and the red light starts flashing............once they get
moving again, things get back to normal.  He says that he does need to add
coolant periodically to the car.  Also, claims it does not leak from the
heads, or anywhere else he can see.

They recently took it to a shaky vw shop, where they bled the system, and
pressure tested it, and all was supposed to be well.....the mechanic told
him that the system was "air-locked" and needed bled.  Well, the problem is
still occurring, they love the van, and soon have to make the 4500 mile
drive to Seattle to relocate.

I told him that the first thing i need to check for is exhaust gas in the
coolant.  If indeed it is present, he needs a head resealing........I cannot
think of any other tests to try to stop this for him, other than to be sure
the radiator fan is working.............
.
Adam P
81  Westy "The Brick "
70 Single Cab "Whitey"
74 Beetle "Ol Yeller"
73 Transporter (STILL at paint shop)
1988 Vanagon Wolfsburg
1976 Transporter (New CA bus)
1974 412 "Goldmember"
Used Vanagon Parts for sale (mostly aircooled)