Date: Sat, 3 Mar 2007 16:26:28 +0000
Reply-To: dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject: Re: Overheating...or not?
In-Reply-To: <e424f9e60703030702t8c4ad3ev16f33b00dca024bb@mail.gmail.com>
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It is normal for the coolant temp to increase somewhat at idle, especially waiting for the fan to turn on. If the engine cools suddenly after coming off idle, then a flow problem is evident. There are two major issues on the 1.9 cooling system. Water pump flow and where it is flowing. If the water pump has failed at some point with the impeller damaging the case, pump p flow at idle can be inadequate to flow through the radiator, turn on the fan, and cool the engine. Another problem can be the radiator. The internal baffling may crack allowing coolant to flow in and out without actually flowing through. At speed there will be enough flow to get enough coolant to travel through but at idle, just won't make it. An Infrared thermometer will allow you check actual temperatures to check your gauge operation and maybe judge radiator flow.
Dennis
----- Original Message -----
From: Blake Sartin
Date: Saturday, March 3, 2007 10:08 am
Subject: Re: Overheating...or not?
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Thanks for the information.
>
> The system was a little low on fluid, maybe half a quart or so.
> I added a
> 50/50 mix. I attributed the loss to changing out the sensor and
> the tiny
> crossover hose at the top left of the engine.
>
> I did notice that the radiator stays a little bit wet near the bleeder
> screw; could this be the cause of the low coolant?
>
> Is there any way to know without fail that the water is
> overheating? It's
> hard to get past that mental block of the gauge sitting high now...
>
> The fan sensor is new, but I may test the fan again today to
> rule out the
> resistor pack. If not, can I assume that I have just gotten a
> bad sensor,
> is there another possibility? I do get antifreeze coming out
> when I replace
> that sensor, and the van cools off when driving (gets warmer at
> stops) so I
> assume that I am still getting coolant flow through the radiator.
>
> Thanks a lot!
>
> Blake Sartin
> Moderator, Bus-Life List
> http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/bus-life
> '69 Westy
> '84 Vanagon
> Maryville, TN
>
> On 3/2/07, dhaynes@optonline.net wrote:
> >
> > Your first symptom indicates the cooling system was probably
> low on fluid.
> > the 84's turn on the warning light and raise the gauge when
> the level is
> > low. This often occurs on a cold engine. Once the coolant
> starts to warm it
> > will expand raising the level and satisfying and turning off
> the light.
> >
> > It is common for new gauge sensors to give slightly different
> readings.> There are also a few versions that fall under the
> same part numbers. Even
> > from the dealer, they seem to vary quite a bit.
> >
> > Tha fan not turning on can be a flow related problem. Combustion
> > gasses getting into the cooling system will cause this. You
> need to find
> > out why the coolant went low in the first place. If a working
> system needs
> > to be bleed, you have a problem.
> >
> > Test the pressure cap to make sure it is working properly.
> >
> > Dennis
> >
>
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