Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2006 06:09:21 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject: Re: Silver 88 Wolfsburg with the coolant issue on the highway
today...
In-Reply-To: <C06B3F16.7975%robertmstewart@mac.com>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Rob,
For starters, the engine should never be operated without the coolant
system functional. That mist was the time to shut down and if you
couldn't locate and fix the leak and refill the coolant, call the tow
truck. The 5 min drive after what you thought was a cooled down engine
may have done some damage. Once the coolant is gone, the temp gauge does
not function as it is located off the engine. If you get any reading at
all, it is due to steam and that means damage is being done. It most
likely is just coincidence that something failed after a flush, but when
that flush was done, a thorough inspection should have been done
including disconnecting the hoses on the long coolant pipes and
inspecting the ends of the pipes as that is a common failure item. This
is 18 year old van. While there has been talk of complete coolant system
replacements, that may not be reasonable due to cost, but maintenance
includes thorough inspections and observations of those inspections will
determine what needs replacing. Since you are a "non mechanic" type, you
really need to get the van to someone who knows Vanagons to give that
thing a good inspection.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
Of robertmstewart
Sent: Wednesday, April 19, 2006 1:13 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Silver 88 Wolfsburg with the coolant issue on the highway
today...
So I am on the highway today, I am doing a steady 55-60mph.
As I am driving my co-pilot says something is coming out of the back of
the
van, a mist, looks clear....
Two seconds later, the temp gauge starts blinking on and off. At that
point
I am realize that my coolant is gone, and is draining out somewhere.
I pull over and sure enough, all gone. I let it cool down then drive 5
min
to gas station and pour new coolant in.
Being a totally non-mechanic type who always goes to the shop for my van
work, I grew concerned with the technical end of what else could be
wrong so
I called Ken Wilford over at Vanagain.com. In 5 minutes he called me
back
and talked me through what he thought may be going on, THANK YOU Ken!!!!
As it turned out, I poured the coolant in, turned on the engine and it
just
poured out from the what looked like a hose just in front of the engine,
I
could see it pouring out onto the pavement from that general area.
I can only assume at this point some hose which possibly runs front to
back
may have a crack in, and possibly that during the last 4 days of driving
since I had a coolant flush that either the pressure of the flush
equipment
plus the last couple of days of driving may have stressed it to much and
forced what little crack that was there to burst after 30 minutes of
heavy
highway speeds?
I am going to bring it to my VW guy in Long beach NY and have him look
at
it.
Thanks again, Ken for being there when I needed a little advice.
So everyone, what are your thoughts, a hose or a major problem?
Rob
NYC/Long Beach, NY
88 Wolfsburg, Silver
