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Date:         Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:37:02 -0400
Reply-To:     Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Ken Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: Botched Coolant Flush Implications?
Comments: To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@turbovans.com>
In-Reply-To:  <009101cc2b91$a2442910$6401a8c0@PROSPERITY>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Scott,

Let me consult my crystal ball... How am I supposed to know?

:-)

I don't use the blue goo here unless a customer requests it. But then I do use it. The customer is always right.

-- Thanks, Ken Wilford John 3:16 www.vanagain.com Phone: 856-327-4936 Fax: 856-327-2242

On 6/15/2011 3:22 PM, Scott Daniel - Turbovans wrote: > Do you think he got the coolant type that he asked them to put in Ken ? > > > ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ken Wilford" <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET> > To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> > Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2011 11:27 AM > Subject: Re: Botched Coolant Flush Implications? > > >> Wes, if you weren't seeing any high temperatures on your trip then the >> engine is fine. The nice part about the 2.1l coolant system is that it >> will self bleed over the course of a few days. Probably there was some >> air trapped in the system that the shop didn't get out but if your >> heater was working the heads were never uncovered so no damage could >> occur (front heater core is higher than the heads so if it has coolant >> then the head definitely did. >> >> I would just top off the bottle with the pressure cap on it (to the left >> in the engine bay). Fill it all the way to the top. Then fill the one >> behind the license plate door to full and keep an eye on it over the >> course of the next couple of days. If they both stay full then you are >> fine and no further bleeding is required. It may still burp a few more >> times but as long as the pressure bottle is full, just top off the non >> pressure tank until the system level stabilizes. I would check the >> level when everything is cold first thing in the morning just so your >> readings are consistent and you can top things off without worrying >> about getting burnt by hot coolant. >> >> Hope this helps, >> >> -- >> Thanks, >> Ken Wilford >> John 3:16 >> www.vanagain.com >> Phone: 856-327-4936 >> Fax: 856-327-2242 >> >> >> >> On 6/15/2011 1:57 PM, Wes Neuenschwander wrote: >>> I recently had the coolant system flushed and coolant replaced in my >>> '91 >>> Westy at a local independent VW service place. I have about 15,000 >>> miles on >>> my rebuilt (GoWesty 2.3 liter) engine. When I got the vehicle back, >>> the >>> coolant in the reservoir (non-pressurized tank) was at the 'full' line. >>> After driving the vehicle about 100 miles, I noticed the heater >>> didn't seem >>> to be heating fully. After I opened the heater valve 100% for a few >>> miles, >>> the heater function seemed to be restored, providing well modulated >>> heating >>> over the full range of the heater valve settings. Engine >>> temperature - or >>> rather coolant temperature - was normal the entire trip (consistently >>> mid-point on the coolant temp gauge, just as before the coolant flush). >>> >>> However when I got home from the trip (about 500 miles, including >>> some NW >>> Washington mountain passes, I noticed that the reservoir was empty >>> (didn't >>> check the pressurized tank, alas). I refilled the reservoir and after >>> running the engine a few times during short day trips around town, >>> both the >>> reservoir and pressurized tank levels are normal (pressurized tank >>> is full >>> and the reservoir is at the mid-full mark). >>> >>> There is no evidence of leaking coolant - anywhere. My guess is >>> that the >>> air was not fully purged from the coolant system following the >>> flush/refill >>> operation (perhaps, at least in part, due to air trapped in the >>> heater lines >>> and/or heater core). >>> >>> Two questions: >>> >>> 1) What do I need to do (if anything) to ensure the system is >>> fully >>> purged now? >>> 2) What possible adverse effects might there have been from >>> having an >>> incompletely purged coolant system on a drive like this (including some >>> full-throttle periods over the mountain passes)? In particular, of >>> course, >>> is it likely that I might have damaged or otherwise compromised those >>> infamous waterboxer cylinder heads?? >>> >>> Also, a corollary question: I clearly specified that the replacement >>> antifreeze must be Volkswagen brand only (in the past, I've had >>> shops use >>> 'house brand' coolants - i.e. whatever the local tech/guru thought was >>> best). How can I verify that the antifreeze used was genuine VW and >>> not >>> some off-brand? >>> >>> -Wes >>> > >


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