Date:         Sun, 21 Dec 2014 20:39:23 -0500
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: 87 Westy overheating after coolant change
Comments: To: Kevin Duvernay <kduvey@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CAHQe0n6TiL_4261ECqntLXJ-5OcLpUAkxH_p2LAWcLd4qcp=xQ@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="utf-8"

That is why there is the low coolant warning system. When the light flashes you need to pull over. Keep in mind that any cooling system failure in any engine is a trauma and some engine damage can occur. Think of a pot on the stove when the water runs out. While a cooling system is functioning there are many parts way above the 200F. Remove the water and nasty things happen fast. 

Dennis
 

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Kevin Duvernay
Sent: Sunday, December 21, 2014 8:23 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Re: 87 Westy overheating after coolant change

So basically if the plastic pipe to rubber hose connection fails and dumps all the coolant out you would get no warning before the motor melts?

On Sun, Dec 21, 2014 at 7:05 PM, mark drillock <mdrillock@cox.net> wrote:

> That is an excellent point. The 86+ has the temp gauge sender in the 
> thermostat housing. It needs coolant flowing to get an accurate 
> reading, especially with the plastic housing most vans have. Syncros 
> have a metal one and there are metal aftermarket ones available as well.
>
> Mark
>
>
> Kevin Duvernay wrote:
>
>> Thanks. I will add a new thermostat to the to-do list. Quick 
>> question, where is the sensor for the temperature gauge? Is it 
>> measuring coolant temp or engine temp? Im trying to think about what 
>> its response would be if there was a catastrophic loss of coolant, a major leak.
>>
>> Kevin
>>
>>
>>