Date: Fri, 10 Mar 2023 11:13:43 -0500
Reply-To: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Radiator part 2 Disappointment and install hints
In-Reply-To: <BL0PR05MB4916776D1AABEB56BFD44C8CA0BA9@BL0PR05MB4916.namprd05.prod.outlook.com>
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Great tips and info.
I will see if the ground has already been changed or get that done.
One thing, Is there a gasket needed for the changing over of the temperature sensor?
Any tips on that process?
The sensor plug came off nicely and boot looks to be in great shape.
Possible that some things are very new as there was a radiator change 2 years ago and the bill seemed crazy high so maybe some parts were changed but not listed on the bill.
This info is so important as I’ve not done the job before and can’t look at the pictures!
Eric Caron
> On Mar 10, 2023, at 10:33 AM, Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> Defective, damaged, and poor performance is very common for parts these days. Comes with the business. That radiator went through a lot to get from the factory to you and every time it was handles there was a chance for damage.
>
> For changing This you may want to get some help. The retainers for the spare have to come out. The 84 should have a quick disconnect for the radiator fan motor. The radiator with fan and housing get dropped down as an assembly.
> The screws holding the fan housing to the radiator are basically large sheet metal screws, self-tapping. Be careful to get them going in straight.
> When putting back resist temptation to make the brackets too tight. The radiator needs room to expand. Just snug against the rubber grommets.
> Consider replacing the fan switch. They are a wear item especially for the low speed as that actually carries the fan motor current.
> The 251-959-481K is probably the best compromise choice. The 85C low speed will still run the fan more than needed. In very hot weather the fan may even turn on as you come off the highway. Since AC vans run the fan whenever the compressor is running this really is not a problem. This is what you have on your 85.
> From the electrical failure perspective the ground for that motor goes up inside and is connected to one of those star connectors above the fuse box with a 1/4" quick slide. These burn up just like the headlight grounds. Consider cutting the ground and connecting with ring terminal and screw closer to the radiator.
>
> Dennis
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com> On Behalf Of Eric Caron
> Sent: Friday, March 10, 2023 8:21 AM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Radiator part 2 Disappointment
>
> Hi folks,
>
> I forgot to share the radiator name I'm planning to install.
>
> It is the Spectra Premium CU357 Complete <https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2Fgp%2Fr.html%3FC%3D1J5XCI1YHU425%26K%3D3PI050IMQ0GY1%26M%3Durn%3Artn%3Amsg%3A202303100150113d392c0b077e4824835186c3d180p0na%26R%3DL86WAMI0L7OK%26T%3DC%26U%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.amazon.com%252Fgp%252Fproduct%252FB000JZUPM4%253Fref_%253Dpe_1811570_136791410_E_Asin_Title%26H%3DKJG9EGHADWCGZ9XPAN4B6W4G24AA%26ref_%3Dpe_1811570_136791410_E_Asin_Title&data=05%7C01%7C%7Ceef787183a214a93a44008db216a59eb%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C638140512936376990%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=jp34spM8K5bIWVg%2BM8mUv3IBnrDUjD5vZwYSX5pfcQg%3D&reserved=0>
> Hopefully the next one arrives shipped more safely packed.
>
> Any tips on putting in the sensor in the new radiator or how you approach the steps to changing it out is appreciated.
>
> Eric Caron
>
>
>
>> On Mar 9, 2023, at 9:52 PM, Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
>>
>> I Folks,
>>
>> I started the radiator change out today by unpacking the new radiator that arrived while I was away.
>>
>> I chose to go with the one from Amazon.
>>
>> Sadly, it arrived loose in a box and was poorly packed. The box had a pushed in spot and the radiator had the same shaped spot pushed into the cooling fins.
>> I decided not to take a chance and have requested a new one and will have to return this one.
>> I hope the next is packed better.
>>
>> I have this radiator on my other van and it does keep my van very cool.
>>
>> I was looking at FCPEuro options for the warrantee but could not get several browsers on my computer to work with the site. Also, I'm not sure the design on the available options there are correct.
>> I don't know the name on the one Ken is selling but it does sound nice. But, that one has only been around I think for 3 years so still young to see if it is a laster.
>>
>> So, back to the drawing board. If the next one arrives loosely packed and damaged I'll move to another option.
>>
>> Now, for an important question.
>>
>> When IU remove the temperature sensor from the old radiator to put in the new one is there a gasket or something to keep it from leaking?
>>
>> Is this reusable from the old one or where do I get it?
>>
>> As I can't read the Bently and I plan to give changing this out a shot as a solo job, any tips are appreciated.
>> If you have done this job and can describe the steps, I'd be very grateful. I may be figuring it out as I go.
>> I'm planning to raise the front end a bit.
>> Remove one bracket from radiator to access hoses and get them off the radiator and move them out of the way.
>> Then after radiator drains I'll work on lowering it down.
>> I've never done this.
>> So any tips on how to deal with the fan or connectors or anything else appreciated.
>> Also is this a good time to sound deaden behind the radiator?Description of steps in the process greatly appreciated.
>>
>> For any new folks, I'm blind so verbal descriptions of the work from this list is what I rely on to do many independent VW van repairs.
>>
>> Eric Caron
>> 84 Westfalia.
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