Date: Sun, 23 Aug 2020 14:00:04 -0500
Reply-To: Jim Preysz <jpreysz@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Jim Preysz <jpreysz@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Help with coolant leak
In-Reply-To: <c056fe62-ba42-9c51-afcc-ad938e493d87@hotmail.com>
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Hi again,
Thanks to those that responded to this. Here is an update: I used the
dye which basically eliminated some ambiguity and confirmed that it was
coming from the water pump area. I still couldn't see the exact source
so I took off the pump belt by pulling the plates. Surprisingly,
probably from releasing tension on belt, it started dripping again, more
of a slow stream. I was now able to get my largish mirror under the
pump and witnessed the crime. It was coming out a little hole in the
pump cover. Question: does this point to the seal? I assume the little
hole is by design as it looks regular and not a crack. If so, what's
that for?
Also, while fooling around with the above I noticed the the engine
ground braid had broken off. While trying to unscrew the bolt on side
bay I, of course, stripped the bolt head off. Would it be better to
drill it out or just move it and "tap" another part of the bay?
Again any comments appreciated and thanks everyone,
Jim
I then was able to get my mirror under it to see that
On 7/20/2020 1:07 PM, Jim Preysz wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> I haven't posted much but I do read the emails. Also, disclaimer, I'm
> not an Vanagon expert though have done some simple wrenching things.Â
> That said, I have an 89 2.1L tintop (Wolfsburg Blue Star) with a
> robust coolant leak.
>
> I had the dreaded red light and pulled over and let it cool down. I
> wasn't far from home so I restarted it and finished the drive. When I
> got home I saw it profusely leaking coolant. I opened the engine
> cover and looked for obvious culprits (and from underneath). It seems
> to be on drivers side of engine as it seems to be running down from
> above the oil cooler. The hoses to oil cooler look ok and so do both
> coolant reservoirs. The head interface looks reasonably good. I
> cleaned the engine a bit but still no smoking gun. I plan on pressure
> testing and I also borrowed a dye light. So those are my next steps.
>
> I put a pan underneath the engine to catch the dripping and to my
> surprise it continues to drip daily, even when just sitting there. So
> my question to anyone is what would likely case that?
>
> I'm really hoping this isn't going to be something major.
>
> Thanks
>
> Jim
>
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