Date:         Sun, 12 Dec 2010 23:19:55 -0500
Reply-To:     Larry Alofs <lalofs@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Larry Alofs <lalofs@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Coolant Tank and Gasket
In-Reply-To:  <14c901cb9a69$22897b30$6401a8c0@PROSPERITY>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

So I set a gallon of prestone dexcool on the checkout counter at Advance Auto.

Salesperson:  "Is it for a GM?"
Me: "Huh?"
Salesperson: "Is it going in a GM vehicle?"
Me: "Not exactly.....I've been using it for quite a few years."
Salesperson:  "It's only been out about ten years."
Me: "That's about how long I've been using it.  It's going in a Subaru
engine in a  Volkswagen van."
Salesperson:  "Well all right then."





On Sun, Dec 12, 2010 at 8:57 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans
<scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
> hi Michael,
> I strongly believe in always topping up the pressure bottle when  the engine is cold or cool,
> and there is much of an air space at the top of the pressure bottle.
>
> 'some' air space there is normal ..
> like 3/4 of an inch air space ...if I see that I don't worry about it.
>
> and ...there *must* be some coolant in the overflow rest.
> I fill them cold right to the bottom of the filler cap opening.
>
> the pressure cap also has to be good about the function of sucking coolant out of the overflow  bottle when needed, or as a normal part of the warm up-cool down cycle.
>
> I wouldn't even bleed it   !
> I have written this a few hundred times it feels like...
> I find that when I just top of the pressure bottle every warm up-cool down cycle for a few days ..
> it's bled baby.  Or 95-plus % bled. In other words *plenty bled enough.*
>
> I think people fuss and worry over bleeding far, far more than is warranted.
> I change whole engines etc...
> and all I do is top of the pressure bottle if there's an air space,
> and keep coolant in the overflow bottle too.
>
> I'm switching my good cars over to Dexcool btw.
>
> Scott
> www.turbovans.com
>  ----- Original Message -----
>  From: Michael Sullivan
>  To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans
>  Cc: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
>  Sent: Sunday, December 12, 2010 5:34 PM
>  Subject: Re: Re: Coolant Tank and Gasket
>
>
>  I had time today to remove all the stuff in the hatch area and check the main reservoir.  It is 4/5 full and warm after a two mile drive at 60 degrees(South Texas Winter).  No fluid in the expansion tank.  Guess I will fill the expansion, run it and then bleed and see where I lie.  Thanks for the advice.
>  Michael in San Antonio
>  91GL Weekender AT 2.1L 'Gringo'
>
>
>
>
>  On Wed, Dec 8, 2010 at 4:49 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
>
>    the only rubber gasket associated with the overflow bottle by the license plate is the black rubber gasket for the cap.
>     I wouldn't even know if Bentley shows it.
>
>    sealing of that cap is not critical or seriously needed, unless, due to expansion from heating of the coolant the level rises above the bottom of the cap opening.
>    It's not a pressure cap or anything like that.
>    I fill mine................. since waterboxers commonly use a tiny bit of coolant out of that bottle..
>    like a small cup a month often............I fill to the bottom of the cap opening cold.
>
>    the level will rise above that warmed up of course.
>    If it's hot enough, like 105 F on a summer day ..
>    enough coolant will be pushed into the overflow bottle to cause coolant to come out the vent on the top of that bottle ...which is no big deal if you know that's all it is.
>
>    perhaps glue the gasket into the cap if it wants to fall out of place.
>
>    Scott
>    www.turbovans.com
>