Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (May 2017, week 3)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Mon, 15 May 2017 16:36:51 +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: What can go wrong.....
Comments: To: Steven Johnson <sjohnso2000@gmail.com>
In-Reply-To:  <CAGXJJtyDowD7ktU+Ms44yZuAZ41OMexjYsk7oP7K4dHyROHfyA@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

I had the same thing happen though no rag was involved, just a broken belt. Ended up losing the engine, and eventually the car. First thing I would do after checking the plastic parts is to replace the thermostat. They do not live through the first overheating incident. An overheated thermostat will always cause a second overheating incident, then a third...

Jim

On Mon, May 15, 2017 at 11:33 AM Steven Johnson <sjohnso2000@gmail.com> wrote:

> Thanks Dennis, > > As always, I appreciate your input highly. I will have to put the belts > back right, add coolant and secure the dipstick tube and then I > will have a look at what the damage is. I'm sure the coolant leak will > identify itself shortly there after. > > Thanks, > > Steven > 91 Westy > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> > Date: Mon, May 15, 2017 at 10:50 AM > Subject: RE: What can go wrong..... > To: Steven Johnson <sjohnso2000@gmail.com>, "vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM" < > vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> > > > There was some time between the belt failing and the overheat situation. A > key point is that once the water pump stops the gauge will not register the > overheating until after the boiling over begins. The engine at this point > has suffered a trauma and you may get away with for now some damage has > been done. Had gasket and stud failures along with cracks are often the > result of past traumas. > > Since this was an accident (non-collision) there may be some coverage if > you have compensation insurance. As part of the repair effort you need to > inspect-test all those plastic parts in addition to the hoses and also the > radiator and heater cores. If you still have the plastic coolant pipes > remove the hoses and inspect the ends. These events are the main reason > they fail. > > Dennis > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of > Steven Johnson > Sent: Monday, May 15, 2017 10:13 AM > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM > Subject: What can go wrong..... > > Well, it happened, the patient is a 91 Westfalia. I had left a rag in the > engine compartment after topping of the power steering reservoir with the > Castrol Dextron ATF. > So, in the short > term, it knocked out the bracket holding the dipstick. At the time that > was the only damage > done. So I fixed this by tie-wrapping the bracket out of the way of the > moving belts. > > Fast-forward to yesterday, I took a road trip from Durham, NC up to Laurel, > MD without issue. > But on the way back my battery/alt. light came on steady and shortly after > the coolant light began to blink and the gauge went up toward critical > red. I took my foot off the accelerator and was able to coast off on a > exit and right into a gas station. By the time I got out and took a look > behind I could see coolant spurting out. Looks like I lost maybe a quart > or so. I could not tell where it had sprayed from at all. The > alternator/waterpump belt > was completely shredded and the power steering pump belt was off but looks > okay as is the AC belt. > > I thought about getting the spare belts out but I had a long way to go and > by the time I got it > done I don't think I could have driven back without some sleep time. So, > I opted for > a AAA flatbed home. (Especially since I had to go to work Monday. I was > covered for the > first 100 miles but the second I had to fork out $4.00 per mile. I ate > the deal and was dropped > off at 1:00AM this morning. All because I left a rag in my engine > compartment and neglected > to fix the bracket like I should have. > > Any suggestions on how to better secure the bracket? > > Thanks, > > Steven > 91 Westy >


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.