Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2023 13:20:32 -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: <CAFdLW6n_Wa6BbSAs-h=-7BmhZsHuwAjfxAojGvE6NH70XfQRZw@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
btw... I don't think it will help if you have a hole or a crack in the
radiator or some loose clamps.. it's not a radiator Stop Leak as we know of.
On Tue, Mar 28, 2023 at 1:07 PM Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
> 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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