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Date:         Fri, 5 Nov 2010 12:34:54 -0400
Reply-To:     Doug Alcock <doug.alcock@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Doug Alcock <doug.alcock@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Correct refilling of cooling system
Comments: To: A PETER MARSH <apetermarsh@mac.com>
In-Reply-To:  <3978904A-8092-4339-A85C-1472AA2D4647@mac.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

You will get many more posts on this but I will give it a shot.

For me it takes 3 people.

Elevate the van 4 inches at the front. Take off the grill and expose the bleed screw at the top left corner of the rad (when you're looking at it) and get the correct wrench to loosen it off. Loosen it and hand the wrench to helper #1

Go the back of the van and have a supply of coolant mix ready to go. Open the filler tank (not the overflow tank) and prepare to pour.

Explain to helper #1 that their job is to tighten the bleed screw when there is a full stream of coolant being forced out -- no air bubbles -- no hesitation -- a full flowing stream.

Tell helper #2 that their job is to start the van and hold it at 2000 rpm --- if you don't have a tach use yours ears and tell them to hold it when it sounds like 'that'. Explain to them that if they let of the gas it will send coolant flying in your face while you are trying pour it. Emphasise this point.

Now that helper's 1 and 2 are ready. Go to the back of the van and get ready to pour coolant into the resevoir.

Have helper #2 start the engine and hold it 2000 rpm --- you pour coolant in as fast as you can until Helper #1 closes the bleed valve and you can pour no more.Slap the pressure cap on. It all happens rather quickly. Tell your helpers to stand down.

Go have a beer.

Cheers, Doug

On Fri, Nov 5, 2010 at 11:40 AM, A PETER MARSH <apetermarsh@mac.com> wrote:

> Before I start - thank you to all the incredible knowledge and fixes you > all offer. > > Trying to get my "new" 91 Vanagon up to parr. Now registered after trying > for a month to locate the last registered owner, and insured. > > After the cooling system pressurizes - two leaks of great force appear. > One from the thermostat housing and the other from the 90 degree plastic > pipe (now to be replaced with metal variety) on passenger side of engine. > > What is the correct proceedure to refill the system? > > i thought I had read that there was a specific way to do this by getting > the front end elevated to try and rid the system of air locks. > > Once I get this up and running I can drive the Beast home and start to > tinker with lots of other bits - AC, brakes, clutch, electric windows - to > name a few. > > Thank you in advance for any assistance you may offer. > > Peter Marsh > Naples FL > 1981 VW veggy burning diesel Pickup > 1991 VW Vanagon GL > 2005 VW TDI Beetle > 1978 GMC Royale >

-- http://www.dougalcock.com


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