Date: Sat, 26 Feb 2005 08:14:36 -0800
Reply-To: Tim Olmstead <tim@CWO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Tim Olmstead <tim@CWO.COM>
Subject: Re: Engine Still Overheating - Need Advice / Chapter Three
In-Reply-To: <002601c51c16$d12ea340$6400a8c0@t41>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"
Hi Larry,
I don't know Vanagon quirks very well but
* my first thought is air in the cooling system. I know you said the cooling
system was properly bled so it can't hurt to bleed it again. Could the
radiator hose be collapsing upon high demand? It can happen. Small block
Chevy's have this problem with the lower (intake) radiator hose.
* second thought is timing. Excessive retarded timing can cause overheating
as well as excessive advanced timing. Does the distributor have a mechanical
advance or retard? Is the timing controlled by the computer?
* another thought is spark plugs. Did you have them changed recently? Are
they the same heat range?
* a lean fuel condition can cause overheating. Have you changed the fuel
filter lately? Is the fuel pump functioning properly? Is there a possibility
that the fuel line is collapsing under high fuel demand?
Larry, hope this helps your pain and frustration.
Tim
Sacramento (another hot city)
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf Of
Larry Chase
Sent: Saturday, February 26, 2005 7:21 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Engine Still Overheating - Need Advice / Chapter Three
Volks
Troubleshooters extraordinaire ... Here's a good one.
Sorry ... Kinda long.
Roadhaus is still overheating.
Picked the "Haus" up from the shop in Phoenix.
We all thought the Overheating problems had been Fixed.
Although I had several minor components replaced ... The major
offender was a "impaired" Radiator.
Replaced it with a new Behr unit.
The shop did several idle and around town road tests. All
seemed fine. Running temps were a "temp gauge needle" width
lower than previous ... what one might expect with a new Radiator.
Said my goodbyes and headed home.
Jumped on the Freeway for a 90 miles drive from Phx to Tucson.
After a short distance I stopped at REI for a few minutes.
When I stated the haus up to leave ... The coolant led was on.
Checked the fill bottle and a small amount of coolant had been
pushed out and the bottle was full to the top. The Overflow
Bottle was nearly empty. The engine temps were still good
and hadn't increased at all.
Since the shop was now closed I decided to try and make my
way back to Tucson ... Keeping a careful and constant eye on
the temp gauge.
As soon as I get the speed up over 45-50 MPH the engine began
overheating.
Overflow bottle emptied and fill bottle filled to top.
If I keep the speed down to 45 and below ... It doesn't
boil over and engine temps stay normal.
If I load the engine more and/or increase speed .... Engine
temps increase to high levels and fill bottle begins to boil
over.
Summary of Repair, Check and Replace Activities:
Fan - Checked / OK
Resistor - Checked / OK
Fuse for Fan - Checked / OK
Combustion Gasses in cooling system checked - Checked / OK
Water Pump - Checked / OK
Thermo Switch Wire - Checked / OK
Thermo Switch - Replaced
Plastic Bleeder Ring - Replaced
Pressure Cap - Replaced
Overflow Bottle Cap - Replaced
Thermostat - Replaced Twice
Radiator - Replaced
No evidence of water in the oil
No visual evidence of water in exhaust
For anyone that's interested ... Here the two previous
Postings I made about this problem.
Archive Links:
Engine overheating - Need Advice
http://tinyurl.com/5zhqh
Update on Engine Overheating Concern
http://tinyurl.com/6bwdl
Suggestions on where to go from here would be most welome.
Larry Chase
www.roadhaus.com
