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Date:         Sun, 22 Jul 2007 23:21:21 -0700
Reply-To:     John Goubeaux <john@UCSB.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Goubeaux <john@UCSB.EDU>
Organization: UCSB
Subject:      Re: 90 cooling problem
In-Reply-To:  <46A25368.6020104@ucsb.edu>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Thanks to all those that offered suggestions on my cooling system troubleshoot.

I am happy to say that after replacing the thermostat things began to behave normally, so it appears that it was a stuck thermostat after all. So far so good as I was able to put an hr of hwy speed driving on the car after changing the thermostat and it has behaved consistently ..!!

-john

John Goubeaux wrote: > Thanks guys, > > I have to say, when I am not fixated on the prospect of major engine > work, I actually am enjoying the trbl shooting aspect of all this (: > > So after dbl checking all connections, cleaning the coolant deposits at > the sensor and pulling and checking the plugs I did the following: > > Ran the engine at idle and 2000 rpms till it warmed up. > pulled the radiator bleeder > watched the temp needle > > Initially there was little to no pressure at the radiator > when the engine warmed up it had a bit more pressure but not much, and > coolant was never even warm up front. > the fan never came on, this is odd to me as it always did > > Eventually the temp gauge went to the top and finally the lite began to > blink > the reservoir did begin to pressurize and the gurgling and bubbling > sound began (obvious bubbles where the large hose comes into the top of > the tank) > never did the coolant at the radiator get warm nor the fan come on. > > The plugs on the rh side did have a suspiciously cleaner look, though > they are pretty new so ? > > I wonder if it is a leaky head gasket if the pressure build up could > inhibit the thermostat from opening ? > meaning i might have two problems, one minor and the other well, more > involved ? > > So I guess I should replace the thermostat ( any easy item to deal with) > and see if this changes things? > > -john > > Miguel Pacheco wrote: >> John, you don't mention if the radiator cooling fan is coming on. If >> things are getting that hot, you should hear the fan come on low >> speed,then high. If you pull the radiator bleeder like Benny suggested >> (simple things first like David Vickery suggested,) I bet you will >> not get >> hot coolant. So, from how I read things here, unless your rad fan is >> out, >> your thermostat is stuck closed. You can just go in and pull it out, >> without putting another one in there, for the sake of troubleshooting, >> replace the thermostat housing cap and do another test run. If the fans >> come on and you are getting hot liquid to the rad, then presto! Damn, I >> hope for your sake that this is it. Good luck. Miguel >>


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