Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (November 2003, week 1)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Mon, 3 Nov 2003 18:39:36 -0500
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject:      Re: Coolant loss mystery
Comments: To: David Marshall <vanagon@VOLKSWAGEN.ORG>
In-Reply-To:  <AIEFIGCNNANNIHLNFBPEAEJPJHAA.vanagon@volkswagen.org>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

One of the worst things for a cooling system is the regular topping off of coolant. Every time you add coolant, you are also adding water with freshly dissolved oxygen. Corrosion, here it comes. It is important for the system to be tight.

The cooling system should not be opened or bleed with a warm engine. Water even with Antifreeze will vaporize as law as 140 or so. As soon as the system is opened, the vapor will make bleeding difficult as you now some steam. In addition, since the heads have areas that get hooter than the coolant, the loss of pressure will cause some "flashing" which will cause uneven cooling and possible head warping, seal damage. I have also found there is no benefit to raising the front. In fact it makes it harder for the water pump to push the coolant up hill.

As for the perplexing tale, make sure the pressure cap is working properly and have a leak down test performed to make sure coolant is not leaking into the cylinders or combustion gasses pushing the coolant out while driving.

Dennis

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of David Marshall Sent: Monday, November 03, 2003 5:06 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Re: Coolant loss mystery

One of two things.

They didn't bleed the system correctly and you are still on a massive 'top up' of the cooling system or there is indeed a leak.

My Single Cab takes about 1L of coolant per 1000km of driving. There is a small pin hole somewhere in the rad when it is warm I can get a slight coolant smell up front. So far a small hole, but I am looking forward to a radiator change here soon I am sure.

I would make sure the round tank is full - take it for a good drive to get it nice and warm and then re-bleed the system. Park the van so the nose is on a light up hill, remove the grille, get a partner to rev the engine to about 2000 to 2500 rpm and slightly open the 13mm bolt at the top of the rad. Some air should come out and eventually coolant. While revving the motor, go to the back and refill the round bottle and put the top back on - go to the front and make sure a small trickle of coolant is still coming out and no more bubbles - when there are no more bubbles make sure the 13mm bolt is tightened and there is no significant void in the round tank. Make sure the square tank is filled to the bottom of the opening. When the motor is shut off and starts to cool it will suck in the water from the square tank to the round tank. After that there should be no more coolant consumption unless you do have a leak in the system somewhere.

Perhaps (read perhaps) if they pressure bleed the system they applied more pressure to the system that it normally saw and they created a new leak. This would have to be a lot of pressure for this to happen and this is why I strongly stay PERHAPS!

Hopefully you just have to burp the system one more time! :-)

David Marshall

Fast Forward Automotive Inc. 4356 Quesnel-Hixon Road Quesnel BC Canada V2J 6Z3

http://www.fastforward.ca mailto:sales@fastforward.ca Phone: (250) 992 7775 FAX: (250) 992 1160

- Vanagon Accessories and Engine Conversions - Vanagon, Transporter and Iltis Sales and Importation - European Lighting for most Volkswagen models

Due to the large volume of email we receive, PLEASE include previous emails when responding. This will allow us to read the complete dialogue in one message and will result in quicker and more accurate responses.

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf Of T Murphy Sent: November 3, 2003 1:43 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Coolant loss mystery

Here's the perplexing tale..

After seeing that the coolant was a putrid yellow looking pool of old sludge, I decided to have Volks Cafe run a check on the system and flush it as well. They ended up putting in a new 80 degree thermostat, fan switch and 7mm hose (don't know which or where) and replacing it with new coolant.

When I was leaving, they told me that the level in the overflow reservoir would go down as a result of pressure rebuilding in the system. It did. I filled it back up. It did again (entirely gone this time) and I've filled it up again. I called them to ask if this was normal and they said that it's abnormal and that I have a leak. They recommended that I look under the entire vehicle as well as the engine compartment while running. I did this and have not seen a drop.

I'm a bit perturbed that I spent nearly $200 and came away with a problem that didn't exist before. They just told me that it's the way it is with vw vans, etc..

Does anyone have any experience with this type of thing? Is it possible that the coolant is burning away internally or something?

where or where has my coolant gone?

thanks in advance

tom '86 wolfsburg

__________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Exclusive Video Premiere - Britney Spears http://launch.yahoo.com/promos/britneyspears/


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.