Date:         Sun, 2 Jan 2005 15:42:57 -0500
Reply-To:     Barry Muller <ekab_muller@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Barry Muller <ekab_muller@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: More 2.1L coolant sys woes (long)
In-Reply-To:  <002901c4eec1$8e428740$16e43f40@korky>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Thanks to all who kindly responded to my questions.

I ended up at Sears and purchased the only coolant pressure tester they
had in stock.  This was the "Deluxe" model with adapters for various
radiators and pressure tanks.  Apprently for earlier VWs, but of coure
in turns out not for the Vanagon pressure tank.  One of the adatpers
allows one to check when the pressure cap pops though, mine did a little
early = 15 PSI.

However the system worked fine without an adapater as it had a flat cap
with gasket, two "fingers" that clamp quite well to the threads on the
pressure tank filler and a bladder that fills inside the pressure tank.
All together this system worked fine up to 17 PSI - without any adaptors.


I found the leak at the front right of the engine bay where a hose from
the block attaches to a plastic fitting.  The odd thing is that the hose
clamp seemed tight enough and the hose position on the plastic fitting
appeared correct I loosened and re-tightened everything and then the
system heald pressuer at 17 PSI.  Simple enough, eh?

The next task is to check how the system builds pressure when I start it
when cold.

Thanks to all those who helped, especially Ken Lewis and his intriguing
mods to his Doca's engine, coolant system and otherwise.  What a great
Vanagon.

bem

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