Date: Fri, 14 Sep 2012 23:44:55 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: No Coolant in Small Tank Behind License Plate
In-Reply-To: <CALGCdoWo=2nG3h+H5tx3W3kzTM8xvovod9r4n29kyOWZaeRB6w@mail.gmail.com>
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Do keep in mind that in the event of a coolant loss the temperature gauge is
"after the fact" and you may be too late.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Donna Skarloken
Sent: Friday, September 14, 2012 2:07 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: No Coolant in Small Tank Behind License Plate
Thanks all. Temp gauge was fine on the way home; I have to climb a fairly
steep pass to get home and it was about 80 degrees outside even though it
was about 8:30 at night so I kept an eye on the temp gauge.
I did not have a chance to open the hatch and check the driver's side
coolant tank; I'll do that when I get home hopefully before the sun sets
tonight, otherwise I'll do it in the morning.
This shop has an excellent reputation, but were extremely busy this week, so
I am hoping and expecting that the system is burping itself, but will use
all your suggestions to make sure, especially with regard to that strong
coolant smell.
Donna
On Fri, Sep 14, 2012 at 11:00 AM, Stuart MacMillan
<stuartmacm@gmail.com>wrote:
> These systems burp themselves for a while after being refilled. Be
> sure there is coolant in the pressure tank (open the hatch), and then
> add coolant to the expansion bottle. It also helps if you remove the
> front grille and open the radiator bleed screw a turn or so to bleed
> out the last bit of air.
> Don't remove it, just open it an wait for coolant to leak past, and do
> this after the engine is fully warmed up and the system has some pressure.
>
> Stuart
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> Behalf Of Donna Skarloken
> Sent: Friday, September 14, 2012 10:00 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: No Coolant in Small Tank Behind License Plate
>
> Happy Friday - I just picked up my 87 Syncro last night from a
> reputable garage where I had the coolant system flushed and replaced.
> It was late and dark so I didn't check the coolant before I left the
> garage and had to drive about 25 miles home. All seemed well, except
> when I parked and shut off the motor I could smell coolant VERY strongly.
>
> This morning I was all set to go to work but decided to take a look at
> the coolant level behind the license plate because that strong coolant
> smell bothered me and I was unable to check it the night before. I
> discover NO coolant in the tank behind the license plate. I had to go
> to work so could not do a further inspection, and it was still dark out.
>
> Any suggestions?
>
> I have not had any problem with low level or no coolant in this bottle
> prior to taking it to the shop to have the coolant flushed. (I left a
> voicemail for the mechanic; he is quite busy so I am not sure what
> time today that he will get back to me and of course I am stressed out
> about this since I spent a whole bunch of money at that shop this
> week. The shop does specialize in Vanagons, otherwise I would not have
taken there).
>
> Thanks, and have a great Friday and weekend.
>
> Donna, 87 Syncro
>
>
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