Date: Sun, 11 Nov 2007 00:44:10 -0500
Reply-To: Benny boy <huotb@VIDEOTRON.CA>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Benny boy <huotb@VIDEOTRON.CA>
Subject: Re: WBX coolant line - heads up
Yea my friend, good advice!
Coolant "Self" bleeding line, another horrible design of the 2.1L (on some
"stupid" later model design, that specific outlet is even made of platic)...
many will tell you here that the Digifan coolant system is so better than
the Digijet... i say BS 10 time, now, don't give me that BS about the front
of the cylinder getting more flow, staying more cold and will bleed more
easily... WRONG, to much flow! ha ha ha.... too much cooling line, way too much!
I change way more hoses (each few day!)on 2.1L than on 1.9L, the only hose
that go really wrong on 1.9L is the "S" one in front of the right head, same
for 2.1L.
The left/rear head bleeder hose is way more of a nightmare, it's like 1 1/4
sharp turn to 7.5mm, at the head junction, it always blow, mostly when you
had work done on the engine. On 88+, again, VW when bizerk, they replace the
right/rear coolant bypass metal elbow (from righ head to water pump) with a
platic part.... dhuuuuuuuuu... nice move VW, i have replace over 8 this
summer, they all crack. Now, we are not talking about the coolant distribor
that lately, have a tendency to simply explode, this one is located behind
the firewall, hidden! Different part on Syncro!
What else, in my case, up north, let's talk about the big black expensive
bypass tube on the left side of the engine... yea, the one that rust pretty
quick on the front part of it, where in join one of the heater line.
Why not add the very sick real bypass line that goes from the thermostat
hoosing to that crazy coolant distributor, on top of the trany just behind
the firewall... yea, this one! looking at my inventory system, i have change
9 this summer... yea the 2.1L is so better.
We won't talk about the 4 small one that hooked to the oil cooler, in and out!
Anyone who challenge my post is full of it! i change so many hoses that i
need moore!!! not so easy to find them lately.
I stay quiet lately on that matter because i don't want people to be afraid,
or that they may think that i'm sold to Subi conversion.... but take my
advice seriously, take a good look at your hoses, change most of them if you
can... for what it's worth.
Worned hoses:
-different color (lees black)
-bigger in the center (in between each end)
-softer in the center
-small crack
Regards, Ben
http://www.benplace.com/cooling_system_flow.htm
On Sat, 10 Nov 2007 18:00:25 -0800, jon <jon@KENNEKE.COM> wrote:
>Just thought I would pass on some recommended (by me) preventative
>maintenance:
>
>We were headed out of town today on the freeway in our 1986 stock Westy,
>and I saw a cloud of steam coming out the back, and the temperature
>headed up. Foruntately, this was right at an exit.
>
>Pulled over, opened the engine, and found that the 7.5mm coolant line that
>runs from the top of right side head to the metal line had broken. When I
>grabbed the remaining hose, it broke right off. The whole line was very,
>very brittle.
>
>After that, I scratched my head for a moment. Since the entire piece of
>hose was toast, it had to be replaced with something. (Sure, I could have
>called AAA, but it was such a nice day, I could putz for a bit) Then, I
>spotted the line that runs from the coolant reservoir to the overflow
>tank. It's the right size and length. Plus, for the 5 miles back home, the
>overflow tank was not need. I swapped the hoses, and refilled the
>reservoir with the two gallons of water we *always* carry. Made it home
>with no problems.
>
>That exact line is not available locally, so I made do with some cheap
>stuff until the good german stuff arrives from Van-Cafe. Several months
>ago that van had what looked like a leaking head. No, it was another 3 or
>so inch section of that $#@$#@ 7.5mm line that was leaking. I replaced
>that section, but I didn't think to look for more rotted sections of that
>same type of hose elsewhere. Grrr.
>
>Back to the story: returning home, was all piled into another one of our
>vans, and off we sped. (Well, not sped...it's a 1.9NA Diesel Vanagon. ;))
>This time, we didn't even make it as far as the first time. I heard a
>strange sound (being pre-parnoidal from the first incident), and pulled
>over to check it out. Turns out the sound was my ham radio antenna
>slapping against the side. I go to start the van, and almost nothing.
>F$#@@$#!!! I whip out the porta-charger thing, hook it up to the battery,
>wait 10 minutes, and the van starts right up. Not wanting to get 2 hours
>from home with problems, we went back to home, and went out for a nice
>lunch. This daytrip was not meant to be.
>
>Turns out the problem with a sticky glow plug relay. I have a couple
>spares, so I plugged the new one in, and all is well.
>
>So, after you all replace your fuel lines, don't forget about these
>#@$##$@ 7.5mm lines. Oh yeah, this is the third time we've had a coolant
>issue on this van: last winter the rear heater core line burst. So,
>replace ALL of your coolant lines. I think Van-Cafe (and others) have a
>$300.00 kit for this.
>
>So, our VW karma was not good today. But, we've been very lucky in past
>trips, so I guess our time was due. These kind of problems really don't
>irritate me. I always carry tools, and many spares (no hose, though. I
>will in the future!!).
>
>I hope our adventures can help other folks from having these same
>problems!!!
>
>Jon
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