Date: Wed, 30 Dec 2009 10:11:08 -0500
Reply-To: Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Success!
In-Reply-To: <000c01caa15e$3c8000e0$6501a8c0@antecpcdef>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
Doug, I always follow the manual myself (I guess it is a left over from
my aviation mechanics training). At least that way if you have a
problem people can't say "Why didn't you follow the manual?" However
the 2.1l cooling system is pretty nice in that in most cases it will
self bleed over the course of a week or so. I have never had one of
these have a large air bubble that caused an overheat problem. I have
had this in the earlier vans (83-85 1.9l) so bleeding them right is very
critical. On the later vans (86-91) while it is important to bleed the
system properly, they are more forgiving than the earlier ones. Two of
the main things I do when I install an engine is to turn on the front
heater to full blast and also listen for the radiator fan to go on and
off (low speed). I need to have hot air coming out of the front heater
and I need the radiator fan to cycle a few times before I say that an
engine is properly installed. This saves me from putting in a new
engine and then having a customer fry it within the next month. I have
been very successful with this procedure. So far in 11 years I have
never had anything bad happen because of an overheat on a recently
installed motor or even a head gasket job.
Take your time, read the manual, do things in a step by step manner and
you will have very good to great results. Get in a rush, do things in a
sloppy or half way manner and you are just throwing your money and time
away. Just my advice.
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
www.vanagain.com
Doug Noganav wrote:
> Not sure why so many think you can bleed the water boxer any way you choose.
>
> I do it the way Bentley book says (raise the van 15 3/4) at the cross bar
> behind the tire carrier and now use the great idea of the ABS pipe and site
> vinyl tube clamped to the bottle with the rubber adapter and absolutely love
> doing the purge and bleed procedure.
>
> Why would Bentley say to raise the van to this height unless they did the
> R&D?
>
> These "procedures" of doing this and that to bleed the system have no
> guarantee that you are getting all the air out and not leaving hot spots.
>
> Just saying "I've never had a problem" "always worked for me"
>
> Has very little credibility, really, where is your R&D?
>
> Bleed and purge the way the manual says. if you still have air ......guess
> what....your heads are likely leaking air into the coolant. You can also
> have it sniffed for hydrocarbons and that will tell you for sure the gasses
> are being injected into the cooling system.
>
> The vanagon front heater works so awesomely well, its downright shameful to
> take it on a trip with it not working.
>
> Doug
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jeff Lincoln" <magikvw@GMAIL.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Tuesday, December 29, 2009 6:43 PM
> Subject: Success!
>
>
>
>> Just thought I'd share that we made our longest trip to date with Grover
>>
> and
>
>> his new engine. Almost 500 miles from MI to upstate NY (via Canada).
>> Flawless trip!
>>
>> Still having so up front heating issues - I suspect that the heads weren't
>> installed surihe rebuild (before I owned the engine) with the best
>> craftsmanship - because they are weaping a bit and I'm having a hard time
>> getting the cooling system bled completely. If I run it at idle while
>> bleeding I cannot leave the cap off the pressure tank without the coolant
>> building up and over flowing. According to things I've seen Dennis say it
>> could be leaking exhaust into the cooling system.
>>
>> So if I can get through winter I'll lok into doing a head gasket job when
>> the weather breaks.
>>
>> Anyhow, for now - thin are good. It was a nice drive (a bit cold on the
>>
> feet
>
>> up front) but Patty was toasty in the back the back heater kept us pretty
>> comfortable over all.
>>
>> HAPPY NEW YEAR!
>>
>> --
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Jeff
>> '90 Carat (Grover)
>> '86 (We call this one Parts)
>> '78 Bus (Melissa) Patty's Bus
>>
>
>
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