Date: Wed, 21 Sep 2011 21:35:20 -0700
Reply-To: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Don Hanson <dhanson928@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: 85-H20 loss of coolant mystery
In-Reply-To: <CAA9AikXdUYOA0ySxiYuixK9pV7D2zTwQjvR_9Pm0_b+NW5dk=w@mail.gmail.com>
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I am not sure how hard it is to get spark plugs from the WBX
motors.....but on my inline VW motor.....I found my headgasket leak really
easily by removing the spark plugs and pressurizing the cooling system with
air, right at the pressure bottle....Put about 20psi right back through the
one way valve to the overflow tank into the expansion/pressure tank (where
you are seeing those bubbles that "aren't combustion gasses"....)
On my inline, I just took a 'listening device' and went to each plug
hole....sure enough, I could hear coolant coming into two of the
cylinders...where the headgasket had failed. I confirmed this by looking
into the holes.....lots of orange antifreeze.....
I suppose on a WBX it might take two to do a test like that, if you have
to crawl under to get the plugs out....
Barr's Leak did work on my motor....I didn't have time to fix it before I
had to make a 3000 mile round trip to Mexico to see the dentist....so I
Barr's Leaked it and drove it down Hwy 395, from Portland to Yuma and back.
I had to bleed and top up the radiator every two fillings of gas, but I got
so it only took me about 5 extra minutes. When I got back and fixed the
headgasket, I found I did the whole repair in about 4 or 5 hrs, including
swapping in a different camshaft..the gasket cost me $30 and I used new
headbolts for another $35- If I'd known it was going to be that easy, I
could have done the fix before I headed out and still made my dentist
appointment in Algodones, Mx.
On Wed, Sep 21, 2011 at 8:22 PM, Travis Newhouse
<travisnewhouse@gmail.com>wrote:
> Thank you for all of the suggestions.
>
> I tried the at-home pressure test. Engine was cold. I removed the
> expansion cap to make sure I wasn't starting with pressure in the
> system. Replaced the expansion cap and started the engine. I let it
> run for about 1 minute. I revved it a little from the engine bay,
> trying to see some of the bubbles in the expansion tank that I've seen
> before. I shut it down and let it sit for 30 seconds. When I removed
> the expansion cap, I heard a small rush of air and I noticed the
> coolant level in the expansion tank rise up a little bit.
>
> So, it could be the pressure was caused by heated air trapped in the
> system, or it could be exhaust gas being forced into the system. I'll
> call around to see if any shops nearby can sniff inside the expansion
> tank.
>
> If the sniff test is positive, what is the best way to isolate which
> cylinder head gasket may be leaking?
>
> Thanks,
> Travis
>
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