Date:         Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:57:44 -0500
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Telemetry (was Re: Coolant pressure test... video.)
Comments: To: greg@POTTSFAMILY.CA
In-Reply-To:  <44254c45e366ca5a16508291ae4bbe19.squirrel@ketchup.teksavvy.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

You asked " BUT WHY WHY WHY WOULDN'T VW PUT A TEMP SENSOR ON THE ENGINE,
INSTEAD OF IN THE COOLANT????"

Because it really does not matter. Whenever the cooling system looses the
ability to maintain pressure, keep everything submerged, and coolant flowing
where needed damage begins to occur immediately.  Having a gauge sensor on
the outside of the head will not indicate the melting valves inside until it
is too late anyway. You have a sensor that let that a coolant loss occur at
a point where the pump inlet was still under water. You also have warning
capability that the pump may have stopped turning (alternator light). You
had the warning and you choose to continue driving. That is why there are
tow trucks. Also, you had coolant loss, (environmental spill). You added
more not knowing where the leak was and created spill #2. If you were caught
by an environmental conservation officer you could need a really good
liability insurance policy to cover the cleanup. (Not quite Friday).

As for an oil temperature gauge, coolant and oil temps do not closely follow
and there is a huge lag. The heads will melt before the pistons and bearings
so it is still too late. A better question is when was the last time the
hoses were really inspected. Rarely will a hose fail without warning or
cause.

Oh, and antifreeze can be combustible. Pure antifreeze has a flashpoint
somewhere around 235f. Yes lets pour that on top of the catalytic converter.


Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Greg Potts
Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 2009 10:09 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Telemetry (was Re: Coolant pressure test... video.)

Indeed, these are very helpful videos. I am also looking forward to the
resolution on this one, Hopefully Ben records and uploads the diagnostics
on that as well. S'il vous plait ???
At the core of all this though, there is a problem I am wondering how to
solve... The telemetry that VW designed to monitor conditions in our
engines is TERRIBLE!!! And as it ages it is not getting better.

This past week I developed a small leak in a coolant hose. The hose in
question was the one that feeds water from the pump into the thermostat
housing. The only warning I had was when the low coolant light started
flashing. The engine temps came up a little, but not a lot. I pulled over,
checked the coolant level and it was low. I could not see a leak because
the coolant level had already dropped below the thermostat hose, and I had
stopped the engine.

I didn't have any coolant aboard, so I got back on the highway to get off
at the next ramp. The temps came up a little, but not far. I got off the
highway, and the engine stalled, right across the road from a service
station where I was able to buy some coolant. I put it in the van and
immediately saw about $10 worth go right out through the torn hose.

I restarted the van and limped another 100 yards to a safe parking spot
and removed the hose. Luckily for me I could read the part number stamped
into it.  I called the local NAPA, about 2 miles away and they didn't have
the hose in stock, but they were kind enough to call their supplier, who
had it to them in just over an hour. Did I mention that this happened on
the first major snow day of the year in Toronto? I got the hose installed
and added another gallon and a half of coolant and the van has been fine
since.

BUT WHY WHY WHY WOULDN'T VW PUT A TEMP SENSOR ON THE ENGINE, INSTEAD OF IN
THE COOLANT????

Which reminds me... Is there a list vendor who sells a sender for a VDO
oil temperature gauge? I am thinking I will should get that installed
sooner, rather than later. This *might* have helped me avoid risking
damage to my engine.


> Benny
> Thanks for filming that procedure - to a non-mechanic this helps one
> understand how to diagnose that problem.  I'm saving this for future!
> This list is amazing!!!!!!
> Richard
>
>> Date: Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:46:01 -0600
>> From: sandwichhead@GMAIL.COM
>> Subject: Re: Coolant pressure test... video.
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>>
>> anxiously waiting on part 2 :-)
>> Michael in San Antonio
>> 91GL AT 'Gringo'
>> 73 Beetle
>>
>>
>>
>