Date: Tue, 23 Apr 2013 12:17:31 -0700
Reply-To: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Scott Daniel - Turbovans <scottdaniel@TURBOVANS.COM>
Subject: Re: Possible...Overheating
In-Reply-To: <BAY152-ds11A986E3F24D3E070D8E67A0B40@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
speaking of waterboxer alternators ..
right now as we speak and read ..
there are hundreds of them running around with two common symptoms...
rough/loose bearings.
For an actuall good Service Visit ..it's standard to take off the
water pump/alt belt and spin the alt by hand ..check for rough bearings,
and also up-down play in the shaft .......feels exactly like the bearing
at the non-pulley end is loose in the case. I see that a lot.
the other very common symptom one is loose/failing mounting bracket.
Lots of those out there right this very second ..
The real danger there is if left long enough the studs in the case can
break off..
and that's not fun to repair.
twice I have seen altenrators just jumping and flopping around right
after a pre-purchase inspection that missed it, and right after a jiffy
lube oil change.
scott
turbovans
On 4/23/2013 12:00 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
> Without the water pump the gauge is almost useless. No water flow to the sensor so the gauge will not respond until you make steam. The gurgling noises where from the water rapidly vaporizing and cooling re-condensing thanks to the coolant system being pressurized, (a good thing). This causes all sorts all sorts of havoc as metal parts rapidly expand and contract. This is the stuff that stretched and broken studs along with warped parts come from. Seals and gaskets also take a beating.
>
> In only 1.5 miles you probably didn't ruin the engine especially since it was cold. It can take some abuse. Fix the problem. Test things and see what happens. I would replace the thermostat as they seem to get messed up once steam hits them. If you have any sign of cooling system weirdness afterwards check cylinder head torque. If the nuts/studs loosened carefully re-torque them. Any that do not tighten should be replaced.
>
> This is the major reason I do not support cheap alternator repairs such as just replacing the brushes. I doubt it failed without any warning. They make noise, whine, and wobble etc. before the end. These bearings work really hard spinning at 2.5 times the engine speed.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of william landsman
> Sent: Tuesday, April 23, 2013 1:45 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Possible...Overheating
>
> Hello,
> Today I was out driving (about 2 miles) and my alternator froze up and the belt broke.
> I took off belt and did not think about the water-pump being run by the same belt, "other stuff on my mind" regardless I drove another 1.5 miles and then it hit me. Pulled over immediately and turned engine off.
> Engine temp was still not up to normal operating temp as I had just started driving and it is currently below freezing where I live. The gauge was rising quickly before I shut it off in a safe location. Opened up engine compartment, I could hear water gurgling but nothing was spewing out anywhere and it had not hit a temp that caused the coolant to go from expansion tank to overflow tank.
> Here are my questions.
> 1. Have I ruined the motor...I did not see any coolant leaks anywhere.
> 2. What temperature do the GoWesty Melt tabs actually melt and where are they located. (Just had a new engine installed recently...) 3. If the heads fail, would they leak immediately?
>
> I will get alternator and belts replaced.
>
> 4. Is there anything I should watch out for when I do start it up next?
> Thanks for any advice.
> Regards,
> Bill
>
>
> ðŸŽ
>
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