Date: Mon, 20 Jun 2011 06:31:48 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: wonky temp gauge?
In-Reply-To: <BLU0-SMTP50C9EC60BCE8363BD20888B86E0@phx.gbl>
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Could be something more sinister. First off the fact that you have to add
coolant and you don't know where it is going is a major problem. You have a
leak somewhere,
Low coolant or gasses in the cooling system can push the coolant level below
the sensor and cause the light to flash and gauge to raise. Those conditions
can also cause pump cavitation and flow to stop which will quickly cause
overheating and the gauge will raise after steam is being made.
Actions:
Test or replace the pressure cap.
Fill and bleed the cooling system.
Look for any signs of bubbling in the expansion bottle. (the one behind the
license plate). Normal for some just after filling/bleeding. If steady
stream you have a problem.
Compression/leak down test. Fully pressurize each cylinder to see if air is
pushing into the coolant.
Look for any signs of external leaks.
Look for any signs that coolant is getting pushed out while driving.
Keep in mind that these overheating events are traumas that will damage the
engine.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Jeff Palmer
Sent: Monday, June 20, 2011 12:31 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: wonky temp gauge?
My temp gauge is acting up, I think. 85 Westfalia (automatic), 2.1l Boston
Bob rebuild with about 20k on it.
Coolant levels seem fine in both tanks (although by fine I mean that I seem
to have to add coolant to the new motor, same as i did with the old, for no
apparent reason ...)
Today I'm driving about five km to the store. The gauge is fine, then
shoots up, then comes back down, then up again. Then the light starts
flashing, then stops. Then the gauge goes back down to normal. I'd been
driving for a matter of blocks when it first pegged.
Normal is slightly below where the light is located. Used to be right at
the light with the old motor, but at some point (not sure exactly when) the
gauge started reading a little lower, and the gas tank did as well. Maybe
the voltage regulator. Sorry for the red herring.
Any thoughts? Goofy gauge or something more sinister?
Thanks as always
Jeff
