Date:         Thu, 22 Apr 2010 19:24:11 -0700
Reply-To:     Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA>
Subject:      Re: Water Cooler System Design Flaw Workaround?
Comments: To: Tobias Gogolin <usertogo@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <u2i3965d35f1004221914q4f51c8cbw475b7947d0364682@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; delsp=yes; format=flowed

try the "libby bong" method of coolant purging

http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?
t=234192&highlight=libby+bong


alistair
'86 syncro 7  passenger
'82 westy, diesel converted to gas in '94
http://www.members.shaw.ca/albell/
http://shufti.wordpress.com

On 22-Apr-10, at 7:14 PM, Tobias Gogolin wrote:

I suppose the most important purge point on my '84 is the one in
front on top of the radiator (are there others?). I would have to get
a hose nipple with 90 degrees that fits there or cut back the bracket
thats obstructing above the screw!
I don't know, would be interesting to measure the pressure in the
cooling system!
Maybe a simple over pressure relieve valve could purge but that would
be when its already overheating, and then its not going to have
enough water to work properly either. So maybe better would be some
kind of flotation valve that purges if there is no liquid?
To simply run a hose back to the tail may result in the same problem
that I'm trying to solve which is if water gets into that hose it
will probably air lock!

Today I did another short test drive after purging at a nose down
slope and I still have the same problem that had already disappeared
in test drives last week, what i'm talking about is that a few
seconds after starting the van the light begins to flash in the
instrument rises quickly to max.! I wonder what this is now! Maybe
the oil in the coolant is making the level sensor think, lack of
water? Since no water gets into the oil (yet) i'm still putting of
that costly repair of those head gaskets that Scott kindly has
explained about!

And yes I love my Vanagon, its suspension is great and its a very
comfortable car! Just cant wait to convert it to electric power! Lord
let it rain $$$ !