Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (May 2005, week 4)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Mon, 23 May 2005 17:14:05 -0500
Reply-To:     Stan Wilder <wilden1-1@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Stan Wilder <wilden1-1@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Joy Hecht's problem's solved?
Comments: To: Joy Hecht <jhecht@ALUM.MIT.EDU>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

I always pride myself on being ready for anything when I travel. I carry spare parts, extra cash, contact information for assistance and a nice big fire extinguisher. I quit blowing my $30.00 fire extinguisher out on helping people with automotive fires. Out of three times I put out fires along the highway or freeway nobody even bothered to say thanks. So if you see me standing there watching your car on fire you will know what I'm thinking ............ "Looks like you got an insurance problem there, buddy".

Stan Wilder Engine Ceramics 214-352-4931 www.engineceramics.com

----- Original Message ----- From: "Joy Hecht" <jhecht@ALUM.MIT.EDU> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Monday, May 23, 2005 4:38 PM Subject: Re: Joy Hecht's problem's solved?

> > :::-----Original Message----- > :::From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf > :::Of Don in North Carolina > :::Sent: Monday, May 23, 2005 5:08 PM > :::To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM > :::Subject: Re: Joy Hecht's problem's solved? > ::: > :::I have been thinking about installing a coolant pressure gauge or warning > :::system because of this. When my coolant hose going from the left head to > :::the coolant manifold split, the first indication of a problem was the > :::steam > :::coming out of the vents by the rear window. My coolant temp gauge never > :::went above 3/4, no flashing light or buzzer. But the expansion and > :::overflow > :::tanks were dry... > ::: > :::If you have a slow leak, the expansion tank level sensor works to > :::indicate a > :::problem, but in a catastrophic coolant loss, it's too slow to respond. I > :::just happened to luck out, as the coolant hose on my '88 split just as I > :::was > :::pulling into my driveway - low speed make a high steam effect! Could be > :::worse, my first thought when I saw the smoke (steam) was a fire! I was > :::strangely happy when I smelled the coolant, I'll tell you! > > Me too! After I pulled into the shoulder and saw clouds behind my van, I wasn't sure if it was dust or coolant or smoke. I jumped out of my van and was just thinking about how to operate my fire extinguisher when I realized it was coolant. > > Other people didn't, though! Within a minute or so a man pulled up in front of me, introduced himself as an off-duty fireman, and offered help. A minute or two later a fire engine pulled up, sirens blaring - someone had seen me, reacted fast, and called 911. They emerged with gas masks on, and we kind of laughed at them, since it was just steam. The state police pulled up within another minute or so too. > > Nice to know that reaction times in northern Indiana are so quick! And an overheated engine is nothing compared to a fire. > > Don, if you design a coolant pressure gauge or warning system of some sort, please tell me about it! I might be interested. Don't want to blow out my new engine too. > > FWIW, I had an inch-long break in the coolant hose that went, due to rot around a clamp. I assume the leak was very fast, not gradual. > > > > Joy > >

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----

No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG Anti-Virus. Version: 7.0.322 / Virus Database: 266.11.15 - Release Date: 5/22/2005


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.