Date: Fri, 22 May 2020 00:44:53 +0000
Reply-To: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject: Re: Leaky rear heater---Autozone Loan-a-Tool program
In-Reply-To: <CACvdLxMecw8ckDRrSme0+=A0d38qyEzaChgxWhxS_newebcyPg@mail.gmail.com>
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No, not at all Dave. System is cold....just looking for loose or crummy connections. The fix on those will most likely involve scrubbing of the metal parts and nice rubber to connect to those points. Tightening of connections is first option, hey things loosen up over time. Also, rubber gets stiff. You know the drill.
Rich
San Diego
On Thursday, May 21, 2020, 5:37:48 PM PDT, David McNeely <davmcneely40@gmail.com> wrote:
Sounds really great. What about the thermostat -- trying to understand the
complete circuit, but would the thermostat interfere with this approach?
Pardon my ignorance. Thanks, mcneely
On Thu, May 21, 2020 at 4:31 PM Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
wrote:
> Listmember Alex had some great advice here. So today, I tried it.
> Called my nearest Autozone, asked if they had the Pressure Test kit for
> finding leaks in automotive coolant systems. They did. Headed over.
> Basically, you "buy" a used kit in this case $249.99 but then can use it
> and return it within 90 days for a full refund on your credit card.
>
> The kit has a myriad of fittings to connect to radiators of all breeds, or
> in my Vanagon case the coolant pressure bottle. Easy peasy. An air pump
> (with release valve) is included. I didn't quite know what pressure to
> pump it up to....I used 10 PSI to start with...since most radiator caps let
> go at 15 PSI.
> Pumped up....waited about 10 minutes....sure enough...started losing
> pressure. Some flashlight work and crawling around....Hey...there is the
> leak!
> The beauty of this kit is that you are inducing leaks with cold coolant.
> Minor hot coolant leaks just steams away...you'll never see it, just as
> Alex describes. Your nose is a good detective tool as well....smelling
> something sweet.
> So I will fix Leak Number 1, and then try again. For me as a hack
> mechanic, this system is a miracle! And kudos to Autozone. And Alex.
>
> Rich
> San Diego
>
> On Monday, May 18, 2020, 2:31:58 PM PDT, Alex MeVay <alex@mevay.org>
> wrote:
>
> Just wanted to share a tip for tracking slow coolant leaks... Often,
> the heat from running the van will evaporate small leaks without a
> trace, but if you get a cooling system pressure test kit (Autozone
> loan-a-tool, etc.), you can keep the system pressurized while cold
> (say for a few hours), and those small leaks will stay visible.
>
> -Alex (who sees some stainless cooling tubes and an upgrade to a
> late-model radiator in his future)
>
>
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