Date: Fri, 10 Jun 2005 09:30:50 -0400
Reply-To: dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject: Re: Alt belt broke-where's the coolant?
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Once the water pump stopped turning, water stopped flowing. At this point, the heads will almost instantly turn the water near them into steam causing an overpressure-overflow condition. Most of the mess you see came from the spray that came out of the refill bottle. There is a vent on top. Remember this trauma. When you need head gaskets, have warped heads, or broken studs, this event was the cause. While the coolant bulk temparature might be at 200. there are many parts operating at much higher temps. As soon as water flow stops, there is plenty of heat available for instant steam. This is why it is also a good idea to allow an engine to idle down for a minute or two after a high speed or high load run. Allows those temps to equalize before the water flow stops.
Dennis
----- Original Message -----
From: James Benthall <Taobythesea@AOL.COM>
Date: Friday, June 10, 2005 8:51 am
Subject: Alt belt broke-where's the coolant?
> Hi guys,
> I was just coming home from working out last night when my battery
> and O2
> light
> come on. Ok. Don't panic. Maybe I can drive home on just the
> power from
> the
> battery? Wrong. Two seconds later the temp light comes on and
> starts to
> sky
> rocket. Luckily, I was right at an exit (unluckily it was
> Cavalcade--very
> bad area
> after dark) and took it. Drove into a Shell at the corner and
> pulled to the
> back. Turned
> engine off and got out...coolant pouring all over the ground and steam
> billowing.
> Alt belt broke. No problem. I have tools and a spare under my
> back seat.
> After
> about one hour with me rushing to beat the darkness I got her
> ready to go.
> Refilled
> the overflow (although it was already empty) and cranked her up.
> Started up
> with
> no problems. Made it the seven miles or so back home. Damn glad
> she picked
> now
> to break rather than on the road with my dog on the recent 3,000
> mile trip
> we just got
> back from.
> My questions are these: Where did the coolant come from? No
> hoses that I
> could see
> were broke so I assume it came from the water pump. If that is
> the case,
> then is the
> water pump ok? Do I need to replace the seal or anything? After
> checkingthis morning,
> no leaks or anything is present...can I just hit the road again?
> If so,
> then these vehicles
> are extremely resilient! Thanks to all.
> James in Houston, Tx
> 87 Westy (the Phoenix)
>
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