Date:         Sun, 13 Apr 2014 13:48:17 -0400
Reply-To:     Eric Bainbridge <ericbainbridge@XPLORNET.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Eric Bainbridge <ericbainbridge@XPLORNET.COM>
Subject:      Coolant loss - '89 Vanagaon - manual trans.
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hello my far-more-learned-than-I-am fellow VW owners.



I am not only new to this list but also a relatively new Westy owner.



I purchased my '89 Vanagon in the summer of 2012 and had no issues my first
season, which was relatively short.



Then, after having it parked/stored for the winter, I took it out again in
the Spring of 2013.



I noticed that my coolant reservoir over-flow tank was empty and so topped
it up.  The main tank in the engine compartment remained at the same level.
Still concerned, I had a pressure test done and nothing could be found but I
had the coolant replaced regardless, as well as the expansion tank cap.  I
was told by the mechanic who worked on it that the coolant leak was due to a
faulty clamp and so he replaced it along with the line - I have also just
recently learned that there are a total of 33 coolant lines in this vehicle!



For the remainder of the 2013 season, only the occasional small top-up of
the over-flow tank was required.  Temp gauge normal - no flashing L.E.D.



This year, however, the same thing happened - but with a difference.  Not
only was the overflow tank empty, the main tank in the engine compartment
was also much lower (at about the half-way mark) and so I topped it up by
about  a litre.  After driving for about 10 minutes, I stopped and checked
it again as the temp gauge was higher (past the L.E.D., which was flashing)
and so topped it up again.  This time by only about 250 ml.



I did notice that the colour was somewhat reddish/greyish muddy-looking,
with a slight film on the top of the remaining liquid.



Today, however, I took 'er out for a good 30 minute drive and everything
remained normal: overflow tank level unchanged, main tank level unchanged,
temp gauge (once warmed up) stayed in the middle, where it should be.



I have been reading the forums on The Samba regarding coolant leaks and
short of a "leak down test" am not sure as how to proceed from here.  Is a
leak-down test the same as a pressure test?



Just prior to my purchasing the van, the engine had undergone a rebuild as
it had over-heated and had a cracked head.



Boston Bob did the bottom half and the top half was done locally.  New
pistons, rings, cylinders, head, barrels, water pump as well as a new clutch
and fuel pump.



Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I have been told that a
problem of this sort might not effect engine life in the short-term, it can
wreak havoc over time.  I want to avoid havoc.



Thanks a bunch guys!



Eric



1989 Vanagon 2.1 manual