Date: Mon, 7 Jun 2004 22:06:31 -0400
Reply-To: tmiller <tmiller@VCMAILS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: tmiller <tmiller@VCMAILS.COM>
Subject: Re: Overheating problem
In-Reply-To: <000f01c44ce0$abe73c60$efdafc83@ds.cecs.pdx.edu>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
It sounds like you may have some exhaust gases getting into the coolant
and pushing the fluid in the main tank into the overflow tank. The main
tank should always be filled solid with coolant. The overflow tank
should not go much above the full mark below the cap. Overheating may
be caused by the same gases getting into the radiator.
TEMiller
Jack Keegan wrote:
>I have an 85 GL with the 2.1L engine and a few overheating questions for
>any of the wise and experienced folks on this list.
>
>Background: I took it in for a fuel leak and the mechanic found a
>coolant leak, and it is the all-too-common head gasket, but it's not too
>serious at this point, and more importantly, I'm broke, so it's going to
>have to wait. He also found that there was no coolant overflow tank
>behind the license plate, and that the cap on the main tank was the
>wrong one, so he installed an overflow with the right cap.
>
>After that, the temperature light started flashing now and again. The
>temp gauge would immediate go to max as well, even if the van had been
>sitting for an hour or so. If it started flashing while driving,
>turning the heater on would immediately solve the problem, and it would
>stop flashing and drop back down.
>
>Well, the last time I drove it, (it's not a daily driver, so a couple of
>weeks had passed) the light started flashing, and the heater didn't help
>right away, so I stopped. I looked at the engine, and the main coolant
>tank was really low, but the overflow was overfull. When the engine
>cooled down, I opened the main tank to add coolant, and as soon as it
>was depressurized, it filled up, not all the way, but mostly. So I added
>coolant and went home without problems. When I looked closely, I found
>a tiny little crack in the main reservoir.
>
>After it cools to RT, the main tank is basically full, and there is way
>too much coolant in the overflow behind the license plate.
>
>Could the crack in the main reservoir not allow the coolant in the
>overflow to be sucked back into the main tank? It seems like it is only
>going one way-into the overflow. Would replacing the main reservoir or
>sealing the crack help the problem? If I decided to try sealing it,
>would I want to drain the overflow tank some before using, because it is
>way above the max line at this point? What is the best way to do that?
>
>Also, the coolant leak was really minor before the overflow tank was
>added, and we never had overheating problems. It seems to have gotten
>worse, a couple of drops of coolant on the pavement overnight vs a 2-3
>diameter spot. Would adding the overflow make the head gasket leak
>worse? It also doesn't seem to leak all the time. I'll get a little
>spot every 3rd or 4th time I drive it.
>
>Any advice on this is appreciated.
>
>jk
>
>
>
>
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