Date: Wed, 9 Feb 2005 18:07:55 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject: Re: Problem with Overheating with ABA conversion
In-Reply-To: <000e01c50ef7$6e98dd30$640fa8c0@DELL>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII
Ken,
When you filled the cooling system did you actually fill the engine case
through the top outlet hose? The head and engine block will need to be
filled to prime the water pump. This is a common mistake with these
engines even in the cars they are normally in. This is not usually a
problem for coolant changes or hose service as some coolant is always
left in there but once the block is emptied, the pump can not move
anything. I have seen many heads and gaskets destroyed this way, even by
dealers.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of Kenneth Wilford
Sent: Wednesday, February 09, 2005 5:34 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Problem with Overheating with ABA conversion
OK, I have my customer's ABA 2.0l 97 Jetta engine conversion almost
finished. We finished the exhaust system and wiring harness and it is
running very well. However after running for a while we have an
overheating problem. The temp just goes up and up. If you feel the two
hoses by the engine both of them get hot (the one that comes from the
head gets hot faster than the one on the water pump but they both get
hot). But when you go to the center of the van the two plastic pipes
aren't more than slightly warm and the radiator is stone cold. I can
also get no heat out of either heaters (rear or front).
It seems like I am having a flow or circulation problem. I think that
the thermostat is opening since the hose that is hooked to it does get
hot after a while. I bled the coolant system repeatedly to try to get
all of the air out of the system. Didn't seem to make a difference to
the flow problem. I don't know the history of the Vanagon that this
conversion was put into. I am thinking that I either have:
1. A clogged radiator
2. A bad water pump
3. A bad thermostat
Any insights that you folks who have done this conversion before might
have would be appreciated. It is going into a 91 GL Vanagon with
Automatic transmission.
Thanks,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
http://www.vanagain.com
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