Date: Thu, 22 Sep 2022 11:29:14 -0700
Reply-To: mark@MARKMCCULLEY.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mark McCulley <mark@MARKMCCULLEY.COM>
Subject: Re: cooling system hose clamps
In-Reply-To: <1280486142.831176.1663867445626@mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Thank Richard! I called local Autozone and they have one available, will be borrowing it and testing this weekend.
-Mark
> On Sep 22, 2022, at 10:24 AM, Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@SBCGLOBAL.NET> wrote:
>
> At Autozone, you can get a pressurizing kit for free; you "buy" it with your credit card, but then have 90 days to return it for full refund. Yes, you just pump it up; spray soapy water here and there to find leaks. Sure, they want to sell you parts; but this is a fantastic service. Upon return of kit, I even bought a 10 mm socket!!! Go figure.
>
> On Thursday, September 22, 2022 at 08:29:17 AM PDT, Adam Grove <roverini@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> HI Mark,
>
> I replaced all my coolant hoses last year and this summer found several
> small leaks and yes, you are right, those by the hot engine parts never
> leave a drop on the ground. I am wondering how your mechanic determined
> there were no leaks. You can pressurise the system and then see if it
> loses pressure over time. Doing this when the engine is cold might show up
> those vaporizing leaks. Also, I have read that silicone hoses tend to seep
> if not tightened properly and some suggest using different clamps. I used
> all rubber so I cannot speak to that personally.
>
> Pressure testing at this point might be the best bet if your mechanic did
> not already do that.
>
> Adam
> 91 Syncro Westy
>
> On Thu, Sep 22, 2022 at 6:59 AM Mark McCulley <mark@markmcculley.com> wrote:
>
>> About a year ago I had my cooling system revamped with a new radiator,
>> water pump, stainless steel pipes to the radiator, and many new hoses.
>> Since then I can smell coolant outside the van after driving it. I took it
>> back to the mechanic, said they pressurized the system and found no leaks.
>> There is no evidence to be found of any coolant dripping on the pavement
>> beneath the van, only the smell. On a recent 200 mile trip the van depleted
>> most of the coolant in the overflow tank. The rear heater core is bone dry,
>> that isn't the problem.
>>
>> The coolant smell is strong on the right rear side so I've been looking at
>> the hoses and connections in that area. I suspect the leak may be at the
>> hose connection on the front of the right head. This connection is above
>> the exhaust outlet so any coolant that leaked would be vaporized and never
>> reach the ground. This connection is a new silicone hose with a new
>> screw-type hose clamp.
>>
>> My question here is whether an ear clamp (Oetiker style) would be better
>> than a screw-type clamp for this application.
>>
>> Also part of the revamp was a new aluminum coolant reservoir with a 16lb
>> pressure cap. I've also wondered if the cap might be defective, causing the
>> system to run at a higher than designed pressure.
>>
>> I spent a lot of $$ so that the all important cooling system would be
>> robust and I wouldn't have to worry about it, very dismayed to have to keep
>> troubleshooting this. I appreciate any observations or comments.
>>
>> Regards,
>> Mark
>> '87 syncro
>>
>
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