Date:         Mon, 3 Oct 2005 13:51:19 -0400
Reply-To:     Tim Demarest <tim.demarest@POBOX.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tim Demarest <tim.demarest@POBOX.COM>
Subject:      Re: Running Hot?
Comments: To: bassettbus@YAHOO.COM
In-Reply-To:  <20051003173300.75673.qmail@web81701.mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; format=flowed

I don't know if this is your first vanagon or fifteenth ... so apologies if
you already know all this... :-)

Sounds like a 'low coolant' indication to me. How's the level in the
coolant reservoir (in the engine compartment, not the one behind the rear
license plate)?

There's a level sensor in the top of this tank, and if the level is low (or
the circuit is bad), the light will flash (and early vanagons will also get
a 'pegged' coolant temp guage).

Since the water pump and radiator were just replaced, it's possible that
the cooling system wasn't properly bled, leaving some air in the system
(which will collect in the reservoir, triggering the coolant level sensor).
Since your coolant level appears to be dropping, but no coolant is
escaping, you may just need to bleed the system again... See the Bentley
manual or the archives of this list for details.

I've heard (but not directly experienced) that if the antifreeze/water
ratio is too far off, it will also trigger the "low coolant" indication.

Tim



At 10:32 AM 10/3/2005 -0700, you wrote:
>I have an 84 GL 1.9 and the temp guage continues to flash..? I just bought
>the van it has 90k on it .The previous owner just had the water pump and
>radiator replaced. Ok now when i first start it in the morning it starts
>flashing and goes right to hot any ideas? It also seems to be using
>coolant but i dont see any dripping or pooling under the van. I replaced
>the temp sensors in the back to no avail.... Any help or input will be
>greatly appreciated.....
>
>Thank You