Date:         Wed, 30 Mar 2016 17:54:22 +0000
Reply-To:     Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Coolant Loss- is it that time again?
Comments: To: Neil N <musomuso@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <CAB2RwfjvMWJn19k4ShSHpkYZ+4QLm-hzGoPt5Uw8A7Vp9s-8_A@mail.gmail.com>
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Easy enough to make one: use a failed blue cap (but I repeat myself) and
splice it to a cheap FLAPS pressure gauge with a section of hose. Start it
and watch the pressure as it warms.

Without access to a sniffer test kit, you can park the car overnight and
run it for 30 seconds in the morning, which is not enough to build up
pressure from expansion but is enough to build up pressure from a leaking
head gasket. Remove the cap and listen for the burp. If you hear it, head
for the bank. Also it pays to watch for soot or oil in the coolant tank or
evidence of anything but oil on the dipstick.

Jim

On Wed, Mar 30, 2016 at 12:49 PM Neil N <musomuso@gmail.com> wrote:

> Right. There's a bleed hole on the fill (overflow) tank behind license
> plate?
> If the valve on expansion tank blue cap is failing or failed open, it
> allows a clear path of
> coolant into the fill (overflow) tank?
>
> Something I've been meaning to purchase: cooling system pressure tester.
> Would suggest to the OP that this is a wise investment if not already on
> hand.
>
> Neil.
>
> On 3/30/16, Jim Felder <jim.felder@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> > Also if no one has mentioned it yet, be sure to check your overflow tank.
> > If coolant spills out when you open it, it's coming out when you are
> > driving and you don't know it. Replace the cap.
>
> --
> Neil n
>
> Blog: Vanagons, Westfalia, general <http://tubaneil.blogspot.ca>
>
> 1988 Westy Images <https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/New1988Westy>
>
> 1981 Westfalia "Jaco" Images, technical <http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/>
>
> Vanagon-Bus VAG Gas Engine Swap Group <http://tinyurl.com/khalbay>
>