Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2023 13:07:19 -0700
Reply-To: Dan N <dn92610@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dan N <dn92610@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Confessions of a blind mechanic
In-Reply-To: <0D50ED97-2885-4391-9E94-7BE2A24CE961@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
I am not an expert on the leak topic because there are too many factors
involved. I use it (2 bottles for the vanagon) with good results. Before
that I did have problems with seepages. I am not saying with the help of
the Subaru coolant conditioner or not or I am just lucky.
What I heard is that the Subaru coolant conditioner lubricates the water
pump, prevents head gaskets leaks and seepages specially at the connections
of the rubber hoses due to the contraction/expansion of the materials.
On Tue, Mar 28, 2023 at 12:54 PM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
> Yes,
>
> I’ve heard of it. Maybe in a pinch that would work for something
> like my initial radiator leak?
>
> I know many folks have used it but I’m concerned about how it might affect
> the motor and smaller coolant channels. If I can get the system to stop
> leaking with good parts I hope to start there.
>
> How were you thinking it might be helpful to my situation?
>
> eRic
>
>
> > On Mar 28, 2023, at 2:37 PM, Dan N <dn92610@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> >
> > hi Eric,
> >
> > Have you heard and consider using of Subaru coolant conditioner?
> >
> > On Tue, Mar 28, 2023 at 11:32 AM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net>
> wrote:
> >
> >> Correction, date on radiator is 2020, not 2000.
> >>
> >>> On Mar 28, 2023, at 1:39 PM, Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> So folks,
> >>>
> >>> Things don’t always go perfectly.
> >>>
> >>> But, so far my most recent mess ups seem to be working out ok.
> >>>
> >>> I was excited to find a South African radiator from 2000. Hoping it is
> >> one of the rare good ones. The unit was triple packed and had the most
> >> desirable radiator name on the outside.
> >>>
> >>> So, I wanted to get everything done so a friend could help me bleed the
> >> system.
> >>>
> >>> Mistakes began to happen.
> >>>
> >>> I put on the hoses in advance and as a expert stopped in I asked him
> >> about the sensor install and he installed it.
> >>>
> >>> I then positioned the radiator with fan shroud in place and got it onto
> >> a wide jack.
> >>>
> >>> I double checked position and location of wires and fan and sensor
> >> plugs.
> >>>
> >>> New bushings on the radiator and time to put into place.
> >>>
> >>> I raised very slowly and kept checking for wires and anything else that
> >> might be caught or out of place.
> >>>
> >>> Slowly, slowly, check, check again.
> >>>
> >>> Then a sound, a sort of metal crick. I looked everywhere for the
> >> source. And then noticed, the temp sensor sticks out of radiator and
> was
> >> under the metal of the van.
> >>>
> >>> My heart stoped. I lowered the jack a bit and moved the radiator
> >> to clear the sensor.
> >>>
> >>> I felt all around it and all seemed good.
> >>>
> >>> I had thoughts of a destroyed radiator.
> >>>
> >>> What to do? Well keep going. Hope for the best.
> >>>
> >>> Slowly continued and then put in the lower brackets all seemed good.
> >>>
> >>> Attach the two rubber hoses and pipes. I marked the position of each
> >> with tactile markers.
> >>>
> >>> I added coolant back and massaged hoses and then pressurized getting a
> >> gallon in. I opened the radiator bleeder and then put a couple pounds
> of
> >> pressure in the tank and got more coolant into the system.
> >>>
> >>> But then I noticed coolant at the front. I looked and realized the
> >> lower bracket was pressing against the hose clamp screw. Had this
> messed
> >> up the hose? Or worse cracked the radiator plastic.
> >>>
> >>> I lowered the bracket and adjusted the clamp to a better position.
> >>>
> >>> Re check. Still a leak.
> >>>
> >>> Then I realized. Maybe the radiator bleeder?
> >>>
> >>> I closed it and put a few pounds in. No leaks.
> >>>
> >>> Later we bled the system and hit a bump when my friend messed with the
> >> bleeder.
> >>> But, system was likely fully pressurized.
> >>>
> >>> No leaks from sensor, no leak from front hoses and connection areas.
> >>>
> >>> So, maybe these blind person errors didn’t do the serious damage I was
> >> afraid of.
> >>>
> >>> But, only time and a fully running system, and a fan turning on and off
> >> will see.
> >>>
> >>> Fingers crossed.
> >>>
> >>> I try so hard to be careful but sometimes bad luck and no vision get
> me.
> >>>
> >>> But, more often then not, good luck and care get me through.
> >>>
> >>> So, darn it, mistakes happen.
> >>>
> >>> Now to get that new rear bleeder on and see if I’m good to go.
> >>>
> >>> Eric Caron
> >>
>
>
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