Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 17:22:02 -0500
Reply-To: JRodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: JRodgers <jrodgers113@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: On the Road Again - NOT!
In-Reply-To: <BAY407-EAS113110310C080944492B2D6A0790@phx.gbl>
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I have found the problem - more or less. It is some kind of failure at
the rear heater. The heater hoses are good, no seepage anywhere, the
summer/Winter valve is relatively new (if 5 years old is new on these
vans) I replaced the original 5 years ago. The heater itself looks clean
- no wet spots covered with dust. but the bottom is wet, and the in tire
interior carpet between the front seats and the back seat is soaked.
I've got a big clean up job ahead.
I was beginning to think in terms of a top overhaul before all this
happened. There is no real way to accurately access any damage that may
or may not have occurred, but the engine was rebuilt in year 2000 and
runs like a champ. Burns a little oil, but has 150,000 on the rebuild
and has spent most of it's life in city traffic so it's getting close to
time.
Regards,
John
On 3/21/2014 4:31 PM, Dennis Haynes wrote:
> Out of curiosity was the engine up to temperature before the failure? After
> ten miles it should have been. While you didn't see the steam if you heard
> gurgling there was also boiling or flashing as coolant flashed off and
> cooler came back in contact with the hot stuff. These are the events the
> water boxer is not tolerant of. Your engine has suffered a trauma. May not
> be a problem immediately but these are the events that needs to be avoided
> to get long life out of these engines.
>
> Common leaks in the front include the heater hose fitting on the water pump
> inlet pipe, The hose on the t-stat housing, crossover hose, and the housing
> itself. A head gasket is also a possibility.
>
> Hopefully it is something easy to fix. Good luck.
>
> Dennis
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
> JRodgers
> Sent: Friday, March 21, 2014 2:03 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: On the Road Again - NOT!
>
> Took Ol' Red out for another run this morning. So I tooling down I-65 about
> 10 miles out of town when the low level warning light comes on. O kept speed
> to maneuver through traffic to the side of the road and while I'm
> maneuvering temp gauge needle rises so the bottom of the needle just barely
> touches the top of the little flashing red light. Then I'm off the road,
> engine off, and coasting to a stop. Stopped - I can hear water
> gurgling/boiling but no steam. Then I look under the van and coolant is
> pouring front the front of the driver-side rear tire to the rear of the
> driver-side front tire.
>
> Clearly - I have a cooling system issue.
>
> God Bless AAA! They came to my rescue and Ol' Red is home. Now for another
> round of Vanagon Ownership Fun and Games!!!
>
> John
> .
>
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