Date:         Thu, 28 Aug 2003 08:16:15 -0400
Reply-To:     Richard Hotchkiss <hotch@HOTSTRINGS-INC.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Richard Hotchkiss <hotch@HOTSTRINGS-INC.COM>
Subject:      Re: 91 GL Running hot still...what next?
Content-type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Dan,

Follow a basic bleed procedure: cold engine, remove the coolant tank cap,
start engine, turn the valve on the thermostat housing to the left, rev the
engine up to about 2K and hold it there (might want an assistant for this
part), open the bleeder valve on the radiator (you can remove it to get lots
of air out faster but be ready to put it back on).

If you don't have anything coming out of the radiator bleeder then you have
a blockage.

Hotch
Richard Hotchkiss
http://www.hotstrings-inc.com


> Date:    Wed, 27 Aug 2003 16:53:01 -0400
> From:    John Meeks <jmeeks@GASLIGHTMEDIA.COM>
> Subject: Re: 91 GL Running hot still...what next?
>
> Dan,
> Stop!! Don't prise the thermo bleed cap. On your model it's really a valve
> that will pass air into the bleed ring that runs around the top of the
> engine compartment. Try parking on a steep hil or jacking up the rear. Run
> it up to temp, then open that valve. If air is your problem you should begin
> to see bubbles gurgling around in the bleed ring.
> Hope this helps,
> Regards,
> John Meeks
> Top of Lower Michigan
> 91 Westfalia MultiVan
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
> Of Dan Haydon
> Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2003 1:27 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: 91 GL Running hot still...what next?
>
>
> Hi group,
>
> At first I thought that my fan switch was not working and that
> was why I was heating up past the standard level, but then I
> noticed that the coolant is not reaching the radiator. I
> replaced the thermostat and it's still not passing through
> (turns out the old thermo was OK too).
>
> Both the metal pass tube from the thermostat and the bypass
> tube are hot, but the hose from the radiator into the
> thermostat is cool and is passing little or no coolant ( I can
> squeeze it until both sides touch). Is this most likely air in
> the lines or blockage of the radiator?
>
> I cracked the radiator bleed screw as the motor heated up to
> confirm and not so much as a whisper came from it. The bleed
> screw on the thermo housing...I twisted the plastic cap on the
> top and it seemed threaded. Do I need to prise that off to get
> to the bleed screw underneath or is that the bleed screw?
>
> Or how about a garden hose flush, would that do anything?
>
> Thanks a bunch for the continuing support on this issue!
>
> Hosed in Colorado,
> Dan Haydon