Date: Sat, 7 Nov 2009 02:00:41 -0500
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Roadside BREAKDOWN...Water Pump Belt-Realities!
In-Reply-To: <668783.73587.qm@web83607.mail.sp1.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
The fact that the engine operated without coolant flow to the point that you
puked coolant out means that the engine and cooling system has suffered a
trauma. Even if there is no apparent immediate damage the engine suffered a
lot of stress. Future issues will include head gaskets, loose studs,
(internal combustion gasses into cooling system), cracked heads, and
possible piston/ring damage. The heater cores and radiator also took a
beating.
Replace the pressure cap and monitor the thermostat operation. Carefully
inspect the coolant hoses and check clamps. Change the oil and filter. Get
the proper concentration of coolant I there.
No need to raise the front to bleed the cooling system and in fact it makes
it harder. Cooling system bleeding should be done on a cold engine. If the
cooling system is bleed enough to cool at all it will self bleed over time
as long as the pressure cap is working properly and the 2nd tank always has
some coolant in it.
A trick to bleeding is when revving the engine and the coolant gets sucked
down, top that tank and replace the cap before letting the engine return to
idle.
You should be able to bleed the coolant in less than 5 minutes. If your
still trying after the engine gets warm it will become more difficult as the
coolant turns to vapor.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Richard Koerner
Sent: Friday, November 06, 2009 3:39 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Roadside BREAKDOWN...Water Pump Belt
Volks,
Was merrily cruisin along on my way to Corpus Christi from Austin. Am about
50 miles north of Corpus Christi. Red blinking temp light, alternator light
on, temp needle rising fast. (I'm ALWAYS scanning gauges and lights,
couldn't have been overheating for more than a minute or two I think.)
Immediately pulled over and shut down. Dripping coolant from rear. Opened
hatch; coolant tank almost empty, gurgling, overflow tank still had about
normal. Broken belt to the water pump.
Luckily, I had all 3 brand new belts. Figured out which was which by
process of elimination. Couldn't figure out how to get the AC belt off;
don't use it, so cut it off with a knife. Loosened power steering pump and
alternator, removed all belts. Replaced the power steering and
alternator/water pump belt, tightened up the bracket with reasonable tension
on belt, not too much.
Filled empty coolant tank with water. Started engine. Immediately it
sucked out all the water I added. So I added more. Stabilized. Shut off
engine. Added water to overflow tank. Re-started engine, revved it over
2000, sucked more coolant into engine, then when idle returns to 850,
coolant rises to top. Put all caps back on tanks. Said a prayer of thanks.
All seems normal now. Did I do any permanent damage? Idles fine, runs
fine, temp needle right on the LED as per normal. Drove at 55 on the
freeway to this McDonalds for WiFi. It's about 2:30 Texas time, Friday
afternoon.
About all I think I need to do is try to bleed the radiator, if I can find a
place to raise the front end. Anything else I should do? System was bled
and coolant replaced about a year ago; I do it like clockwork every 2 years.
Rich
85 GL with a 1.9, 178,000 miles, off the road in Texas, simmering down
