Date: Sun, 4 Apr 2010 16:10:46 -0700
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: Radiator has a leak and green fluid's coming out
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nice to see the words saying not to get too hung up about phosphate free
a-frz. Ditto on that.
I like to replace the spring hose clamps with good german ones.
Some of the cardboard used for air flow control is often missing or hanging
loose etc.
Fix that stuff as needed.
I find the 'under-plate' missing on a lot of vanagons. It's a cardbaord
piece that helps keep airflow from slipping around the bottom of the
radiator. I make a new piece out of hard black plastic material sometimes.
If there's AC and no plan to ever have it working you could take out the
condensor there if you wanted.
Treat all the rust you find anywhere under there !
----- Original Message -----
From: "Scott Chapman" <scott_list@MISCHKO.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Sunday, April 04, 2010 2:56 AM
Subject: Re: Radiator has a leak and green fluid's coming out
> What all should I replace, if the cost isn't too crazy?
>
> Dennis Haynes wrote:
>> Most likely that radiator is original. After 25 years it does not owe
>> anybody anything. Do not blame it on the green coolant. Most likely the
>> heaters cores along with most of the cooling system needs attention. BTW
>> the latest universal works with any antifreezes are now mostly phosphate
>> free. Don't get too hung up on that. Just pick a choice and stay with it.
>>
>> Dennis
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf
>> Of
>> Scott Chapman
>> Sent: Saturday, April 03, 2010 10:19 PM
>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>> Subject: Radiator has a leak and green fluid's coming out
>>
>> My new 85 Westy radiator has a pinhole leak.
>> I cleaned up the fluid on the front bumper and it's green :(
>>
>> I think that means it's coolant with phosphate.
>>
>> I'm wondering what to do here. I can't take it back so we move forward.
>>
>> I can get a radiator from Bus Depot for $150.
>>
>> What are suggestions from the list? Is it worth it to get the radiator
>> replaced or patch the existing one?
>>
>> I'm thinking that if there's one leak, more will show up. The leak's a
>> tiny one on the front sprays water out through the front grill.
>>
>> I don't know how long it's been running green fluid. I have lots of
>> records of factory maint on this rig by previous owner. I'm hoping
>> green fluid's been used a short time (i.e. prep it for sale?). Dunno.
>> Is there anything I should do to help deal with effects of running
>> phosphate fluid (assuming green = phosphate). I'd get the system
>> flushed at any rate.
>>
>>
>>
>>
