Date: Tue, 8 May 2012 08:23:34 -0700
Reply-To: HotelWestfalia <zolo@FOXINTERNET.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: HotelWestfalia <zolo@FOXINTERNET.NET>
Subject: Re: OK, who's got the good simple method...
In-Reply-To: <4FA92FB0.4020904@gmail.com>
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I use a method that I did not read anywhere;
Open bleed bolt on radiator,
open both valves of the heater cores,
take off the top hose from the pressure tank and face it upward, (take the
clamp off the other end, so you can turn it upward easier.)
plug that hole on the tank,
fill up the system as much as you can,
connect an other hose to this upward one that will make it taller than the
radiator, (I use a bigger diameter hose that just fits over it, no pressure
there)
and start filling up until the rad. is starting to bleed.
close the bleed bolt,
empty the tall hose into a container and take it off,
connect the upward hose back onto the pressure tank.
start the engine and fill up the tank full,
put cap on,
fill the reserve tank up to the rim,
put cap on that too,
finished.
You will need to keep an eye on the gauge and feel the big hoses on the
firewall if the thermostat opened up. When filling up the system, you can
open the top big hose on the fitting by sliding a screw driver under it,
just to let air out there for faster filling and making sure that coolant is
getting back to the water pump. It is important, because if there is no
coolant to pump, there is no circulation that will result in overheating
fast.
Same system for the 2.1 liter engines, only that the hose that comes from
the pressure tank is going to the bleeding system backward. That accepts a
smaller hose connection. Fittings are at Home Depot.
Now, that you have the system open all the way to the front, this is a good
time to flush it out by filling it up with water and blowing it out with
compressed air a few times. You will see the junk that comes out of it,
that would plug your new radiator. It will take about three 5 gallon
buckets.
Have fun.
Zoltan
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rocket J Squirrel" <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, May 08, 2012 7:37 AM
Subject: OK, who's got the good simple method...
> ... for refilling and bleeding the coolant system on a 1.9 after it's
> been drained for a radiator replacement?
>
> The van will initially have its nose lifted for the rad replacement, but
> since it's pointed downhill a bit, it will pretty much be level. We
> could push it backward and off the ramps under the front wheels so the
> nose is down.
>
> ==================
> * I know, I know, many here hate the idea that I work on my van on my
> sloped driveway, but I don't want to re-start that discussion, please.
>
> --
> Jack "Rocket j Squirrel" Elliott
> Bend, Ore.
> 1984 Westfalia. A poor but proud people.
> 1971 "Ladybug"-brand utility trailer ca. 1972 from a defunct company in
> San Clemente, Calif., now repurposed as The Westrailia.
>
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