Date: Thu, 7 Oct 2004 21:46:12 -0600
Reply-To: jimt <wetwesty@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: jimt <wetwesty@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
Subject: Re: help diagnosing possible coolant system/ engine damage
In-Reply-To: <000001c4ace2$63203ce0$6400a8c0@masterpc>
Content-type: text/plain; charset="ISO-8859-1"
On 10/7/04 8:56 PM, "Dennis Haynes" <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET> wrote:
> OK, let's assume that they did run it ~30 minutes/month for 2 years.
> That's 12 hours of operation total. Now, this is without any load,
> probably only idling. If it was actually driven, averaging 50 mph, that
> would equate to 600 miles of driving. If it lost enough coolant or oil
> during that use to cause a problem, there was a problem before it went
> to storage. Even if the oil went down a quart, that would not cause any
> grief.
>
> At this point, I would change the fluids anyway, including gear oil/ATF,
> power Steering, brake fluid, coolant etc. Also get some fresh fuel in
> there. If stored outside, consider fuel tank in near future. Then to be
> sure, go for a compression/leakdown test and maybe test the oil
> pressure. If no weird noises, go drive and enjoy.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
> Of Kurt Stoppkotte
> Sent: Thursday, October 07, 2004 5:45 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: help diagnosing possible coolant system/ engine damage
>
> i'm hoping that you can help me diagnose possible coolant system and
> engine damage from a negligent storage facility. here's the quick and
> dirty: i stored my '85 camper 2 yrs ago with a contract that stipulated
> that the vehicle would be run for 30 minutes and all fluids checked
> every month. well, when i went to pick up the vehicle there was no
> dipstick...kind of tough to check the level without that. the vehicle
> was then delivered to me a few days later after they had received a new
> dipstick...there was oil, but i have to assume the worst: that they
> hadn't checked the oil for sometime and was probably low. additionally,
> there was absolutely no coolant in the system. so, i was told to have
> it checked out to assess any possible damage. so here's my question:
> how can you realistically assess any damage caused by their negligence?
> the engine was in immaculate condition when it was stored (about 20,000
> miles on a rebuild) and i guess i have to hope that they never ran it
> for the 30 min/ month. but assuming that they did, damage had to be
> caused...maybe to the heads, rings, bearings...heck, i don't know, i'm
> not a mechanic.
>
> so does anyone have any reccomendations on how to fully diagnose any
> damage? leakdown test? compression test? with this adequately
> diagnose any damage or just severe damage? i've had it towed to a shop
> to fill/bleed the coolant system and to give me their opinion, but i
> would like to have some advice from the list on what tests i should
> request that they perform.
>
>
> thanks in advance
> kurt
>
> ps: i'm in the dc area and can't wait to spend a night camping in my
> baby.
I have taken many vehicles that have sat for year to three years unprotected
and all I have done was drained the oil changed the coolant and drained the
gas tank and added fresh fuel. Carried a fresh battery with me to use
because the one in the vehicle was usually very dead and not recoverable.
Started them and drove them off.
After sitting that long and not being started up and run I would suspect the
battery has very little life left in it.
I know of quite a few vehicles put into storage for year or two all the
time. Very common in a military career. The thing to do is pull the
battery, put a fuel preservative in the tank, and put in fresh coolant.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
jimt
Planned insanity is best.
Remember that sanity is optional.
http://www.tactical-bus.info (tech info)
http://www.westydriver.com
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