Date:         Thu, 22 Sep 2022 13:37:17 -0400
Reply-To:     Edward Maglott <emaglott3@GMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Edward Maglott <emaglott3@GMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: cooling system hose clamps
In-Reply-To:  <1280486142.831176.1663867445626@mail.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"

It would be valuable to get the system up to operating temperature and look
at that spot ahead of the right head to see if you see dripping.  If I am
remembering correctly, on my 86 that was a pretty short hose and had to
absorb a lot of flexing because one end was on the head and the other on a
manifold connected to the body so engine movement flexed the fairly short
hose a lot.  Sometimes things don't leak when cold due to
expansion/contraction.  IDK if you could put the pump on the system then
heat the engine up and then apply some extra pressure?

Good luck,
Edward

On Thu, Sep 22, 2022 at 1:24 PM 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
> >
>
>