Date: Sat, 22 Jul 2006 13:09:25 -0700
Reply-To: Mike Rouby <mikerouby@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mike Rouby <mikerouby@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: I think I have given up on my cooling system...
In-Reply-To: <cf4df96f0607221226l7201917au6845cec52940f3d1@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
It's times like these I'm happy mine is air-cooled. It may be slower, but it's bulletproof. :)
robert shawn feller <carboncow@GMAIL.COM> wrote: after wasting $200 on a new radiator, fan switch and shipping I just cannot
figure out what this damn vans problem is.
Once again here is the info, as I think I'm out of logical ideas.
Replaced coolant temp sensor this winter due to low reading on gauge which
then instantly gave high readings. Readings seemed to get higher as spring
and summer approach even getting LED blink at idle after long ride. So today
we put in the new radiator and have the same issues post install.
here are the facts:
- two temp sender units (yes two new ones from same vendor)
- two thermostats
- Made resister box to test gauge. Seemed within spec although bentley
book, online nor VDO have EXACT readings at a given temps. has to estimate
values from different resources. Here is the data I have from compiling
different sources:
http://carboncow.net/modules/tinycontent/index.php?id=7. Yes those
"vague" hot/cold values are given by Vw in their tech manuals, how stupid!
- Tested senders (2) based on vague data from bentley online, appeared
to be withing spec
- Pulled gauge cluster and tested voltage stabilzer (within bentley
spec)
- Checked grounds and wiring to sender/gauge and even reterminated
connectors or cleaned contacts at both ends
- fan speed sender unit operating fine and kicking on when expected.
High speed fan is operational but not coming on.
- Inferred thermal temp gun shows operating temps within spec on hoses
and engine block. nothing over 195F...so that explains why fans are
operating correctly if you believe the gun.
many on the list said the radiator was the next step due to restricted flow
of 20 year old van/radiator. I could understand as severely restricted flow
could give false readings to fan speed sender. then again that restricted
flow would most likely show higher temps at highway speeds. Regardless we
went with a new radiator and fan speed temp sensor. This sender is slightly
lower in temps (from BD) and will kick on the fan a bit earlier. It does
noticeably come on more...which is great. (Please don't bring up its bad to
have lower fan on temps...the thermostat regulates engine temps on the low
side not the radiator.)
If you consider the LED 4 out of 8 on the gauge I am running 6/8 on an 80F
in Ohio driving around town or on the freeway. When I pull into the drive
and let the van idle for 20 minutes after a long drive at 65mph it will go
to 7/8 but the LED is not coming on today. If you read gowesty.com page on
radiators he'd make you think 6/8 or 7/8 are very common while Bentley and
many on this list talk about "dead on" 4/8. Wish I could have done this last
week and tested in 95F degree temps to see if the LED will kick on.
Lastly the old radiator and fan speed sender did have a bit of black "oily"
substance in them. Now since this van had a different engine from the PO who
know what happened with that old one. Before you start saying, "ha! you have
a bad head gasket" add this info to your theory first. No oil in water and
no water in oil. We put a pressure tester on the cooling system and its
holding pressure just fine and there are no bubbles (cavitation) from such a
bad head gasket theory.
Should I just live with this or is there yet something else I can check?
--
shawn feller, ohio
1986 vw vanagon gl westfalia
1993 vw eurovan gl
plus a couple of saabs, boats, jet skis, dog and wife (all require to much
maintenance, accept the dog)...
www.carboncow.com
www.carboncow.net
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