Date:         Sun, 21 Apr 2013 17:55:36 -0500
Reply-To:     mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject:      Re: OVERHEATING! - NEED ADVICE! !!! HELP!!!
Comments: To: PB <pbrattan@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CAOBs5F6WHdYomOmL+BP9ZZbCOxzKYyUz1rm-Yy4P4KkyWRC=4w@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8

Patti, if no leaks that you can find easily, there is a good chance the fluid is going out the exhaust pipe, after leaking into the cylinder heads.  If a bunch, you should be able to see white smoke from the exhaust pipe, and the engine should not be running well.  The pressure bottle may also be leaking, most often due to a crack where the sensor attaches or at the neck. Some other places that leak enough for the missing coolant to become evident, but the leak may not necessarily be seen are water pump stains on the weep hole, it will fail soon), thermostat housing, hoses not fitting tightly but leaks not actually seen due to evaporation, "head" gasket (usually shows up in colder weather than you have in Long Beach, though).   mcneely

---- PB <pbrattan@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> I put in some distilled water. Reservoir was empty. Everything looked and
> worked fine. 5 miles later light blinking again, but reservoir still full.
> No obvious leaks. Possible bad thermostat?   Less than 4000 miles since new
> radiator was installed (In 2007 - I only use it for pleasure driving)
>
> I'm 45 miles from home, and DO have AAA with long distance towing,  but
> don't want to use it unless necessary.
>
> Patti
> 90 Westy automatic
> On Apr 21, 2013 12:27 PM, "Larry Alofs" <lalofs@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Prestone sells a type that they claim "mixes with any other type".  Buy a
> > gallon of distilled water at the grocery store; mix 50-50.
> >
> > Larry A.
> >
> >
> > On Sun, Apr 21, 2013 at 2:39 PM, PB <pbrattan@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> >> Need to know if there is any antifreeze I can use that is readily
> >> available
> >> in a local parts store. Need it NOW. Local VW parts stores are closed.
> >>
> >> Can't ride around. I'm good for 1 SHORT trip to a parts store.
> >> Patti
> >> 90 Westy Automatic
> >>
> >
> >

--
David McNeely