Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (April 2013, week 5)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:32:47 -0400
Reply-To:     Roger Barkley <rvbarkley4347@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Roger Barkley <rvbarkley4347@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: coolant overflow fears and thoughts
Comments: To: tom@CARCHRAE.NET
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

New pressure caps can be bad. I was suspect of my old one so ordered a new one from GoWesty and installed. Thought I would test the old one so I built a gizmo to test. It tested fine, just for kicks I tested the new one.....it didn't start to bleed off untill nearly 30 #'s ! Returned it and put the old one back on. Also went through two "new" front heater valves that leaked after only a month or two. Went to VW for the third one, two years and its still good. Moral.....be suspect of new parts...

Roger B.

From: Tom Carchrae <tom@CARCHRAE.NET> Subject: Re: coolant overflow fears and thoughts

@Bill - I've blown through that pipe, it is not blocked. In fact, I used it to drain the extra coolant out of the bottle. I wonder about it being air tight though, although I've seen no leaks.

@Dennis - Thanks. I've been tempted to build a cap tester just to confirm my theory on that cap holding too much pressure. I ended up replacing bleeder valve assembly, radiator, and at least one hose after that had happened. The only other thing I can think of that may have caused the pressure problems was a badly routed front heater bypass job (the heater hose may have been pinched behind spare tire).

I have done the combustion gas sniffer test, and it came out ok. I guess I should have a compression and/or leakdown test done again and see if that shows any signs. As you alluded, I suspect it may only be failing when driving/under load.

Any other ideas to confirm the issue before tearing the engine apart or replacing... :/


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.