Date:         Thu, 6 Nov 2003 15:01:41 -0500
Reply-To:     Stan Harrison <sharrison@ALUM.MIT.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stan Harrison <sharrison@ALUM.MIT.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Antifreeze Removal
Comments: To: Jeff Bourdeau <jeff.bourdeau@ANR.STATE.VT.US>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

Jeff,
     I saw a reply recommending disconnectiong rad hose doing 90%. Did
not work for me!!!  And forcing it out with a garden hose just leaves a
gallon of well or city water in there with all its minerals.
   Distilled water has hundreds of times less minerals and acid than tap
water. But using it is of little benefit if if you retain a large
percentage of bad coolant, or city water. Instead of being many times
better off, you will only get a 50% or 75% reduction in ionic polutants.
Drain it well.
--------------------------------------

Jeff Bourdeau wrote:

> I'm putting the Vanagon in Storage for the winter.  Before I do that I
> thought I would change the antifreeze.  I have done it before but I am
> pretty sure I have not gotten all of the old out before the new went in.
> It is not clear to me on the easiest way to drain the antifreeze in my 89
> Vanagon.  The Bentley Manual  points to the drain plug on the block.  To
> get to that plug,  I would need to remove the protective shield below the
> push rods.  To remove the shield I would need to loosen one or more of my
> studs to the exhaust manifold.  Is there a quicker and easier way to drain
> the fluid?   Like disconnection a critical hose on the underbelly?   I really do not want to
> deal with the manifold studs.
>
> Thanks in advance to your reply
>
> Jeff Bourdeau
> Burlington VT
> 61 15 window deluxe
> 73 Westy
> 89 Westy
>
>