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Date:         Thu, 15 Oct 2015 22:27:24 -0400
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Missing coolant
Comments: To: Eric Wunrow <VW@ERICWUNROW.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <F3883C4C-DF16-4F24-B282-D164AC51F257@EricWunrow.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

No. In a properly working system any air including air that is entrained in the coolant will work its way out. That is why the coolant tank is placed where it is, filling the lowest pressure point in the cooling system, the pump inlet.

Dennis

-----Original Message----- From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of Eric Wunrow Sent: Thursday, October 15, 2015 7:53 PM To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM Subject: Re: Missing coolant

Dennis, per 'excessive over-pressurization,' could having some air in the cooling system specifically and solely cause the caps to fail?

Our bus has never overheated - while in our possession, anyway. Even on hot days and climbing good mountain grades, it almost never gets much above the middle (straight up on the gauge). But I've been watching coolant levels like a hawk.

Thanks,

Eric Eric Wunrow Pictures

303. 988. 8717 VW@EricWunrow.com

On Oct 14, 2015, at 9:21 PM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM> wrote:

> There are a few different cap designs out there. Most rely on the > valve piece being sealed to the cap when it is secured on the tank so > the simple mouth test may not be reliable. They rely need to be tested > in place with a gauge set up so you can confirm the opening pressure. > Since the Vanagon uses the closed system approach with the recovery > tank once the system is completely air free, the cap has to release > every time engine temperature increases. On system that have an air > pocket under the pressure cap the system only has the cap vent during an overfill or overheat condition. > > While I have seen bad caps, they are usually obvious at installation. > Once tested good future failures are a symptom. Usually overheating or > excessive over pressurization is the reason for failure. Look for the > melted parts or damaged seals. Cracked or loose heads. > > Dennis > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On > Behalf Of Eric Wunrow > Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2015 3:36 AM > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM > Subject: Re: Missing coolant > > I'm a total rookie compared to you guys, but wanted to note I've had > at least three expansion tank (blue) cap failures in 23,000, full-time > miles over 26 months on the road. I believe the failures are somewhat > related to how many heating/cooling cycles they're asked to do. > > I only buy the German ones, and my test is if you can both suck and > blow on the cap, it's toast (please keep the jokes to yourself). > > My understanding is the cap should only release pressure one direction > - not two. > > Eric > Eric Wunrow Pictures > > 303. 988. 8717 > VW@EricWunrow.com > > > > > On Sep 28, 2015, at 3:27 PM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM> wrote: > >> Thanks Jim, the cap was replaced with an OEM cap when the water pump >> was > done 13,000 miles ago, and the overflow tank doesn't show any evidence > of any spillage on or under it. I'm thinking small leaks too, but I'd > like to narrow it down. The 2.1 has a lot more hoses than my 1.9! >> >> >> >> Stuart >> >> >> >> From: Jim Felder [mailto:jim.felder@gmail.com] >> Sent: Monday, September 28, 2015 2:21 PM >> To: Stuart MacMillan; vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com >> Subject: Re: Missing coolant >> >> >> >> Old hoses leak microscopic amounts of coolant. Ive had it spray onto >> the > engine in such small quantities that it would evaporate before you > could see it. Tighten hoses, replace hoses is about all you can do. > But you didn't mention testing the pressure cap. That can send a good > deal of coolant into the expansion tank, which can drip on the road > through the overflow and you won't know it. >> >> >> >> Jim >> >> >> >> On Mon, Sep 28, 2015 at 4:11 PM Stuart MacMillan >> <stuartmacm@gmail.com> > wrote: >> >> Just when everything seems to be sorted out, it isn't. Son's '87 is >> losing over a quart of coolant every 400 miles, and I can't find any >> leaks. Rear heater has been removed, and there is no odor from the >> front heater. No drips anywhere-engine plumbing, heads, transmission >> cooler, radiator, or front heater valve. No evidence of coolant >> mixing with either the transmission fluid or engine oil, and that >> much coolant would certainly foam oil. >> >> >> >> I'm wondering if it's burning coolant, but in my experience failed >> sealing rings in Vanagons lead to over pressurization of the system, >> and that's not happening. It also runs great. I sometimes notice a >> faint smell of burning coolant at the engine compartment vents, but I >> can't find anything dripping on the exhaust when the system is > pressurized. >> >> >> >> Would investing in a UV leak detection kit tell me anything? It >> would seem losing this much coolant would show up somewhere. >> >> >> >> Any ideas? >> >> >> >> Stuart >> >


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