Date: Wed, 29 Mar 2023 19:55:26 -0700
Reply-To: David McNeely <davmcneely40@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: David McNeely <davmcneely40@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: Blam! Bleeder valve destruction and some other thoughts!
In-Reply-To: <5650C847-20B7-4FD6-81FD-7C09B25593C4@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
Repair something? Jeesh! Isn't that contrary to the modern capitalist way
of life, where things are made to break and be discarded?
On Wed, Mar 29, 2023 at 7:52 PM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
> No, back to the bleeder,
>
> My clever friend took the actual bleeder apart and found two o rings to
> replace the broken ones. I happened to talk to a experienced vW mechanic
> and told him we planned to try replacing the o rings rather then use the
> new unit if possible. He said he had done that in the past and it worked
> fine.
>
> So, fingers crossed we have good O rings and the old original plastic has
> a few more years in it.
>
> New bleeder plastic unit will be in my spares if needed.
> I’ll keep the list posted, but surprised no one mentioned the option to
> repair the bleeder rather then replace it.
>
> Eric Caron
>
>
>
> > On Mar 29, 2023, at 10:41 PM, Alistair Bell <albell@SHAW.CA> wrote:
> >
> > Hey just putting my 2 cents in
> >
> >
> > Last summer , on a trip well beyond help, my stock and original blue cap
> failed .
> > I mean failed as in I could blow thru the thing….
> >
> > Anyway, meant that planned destination to a high steep spot I wanted to
> camp at was nixed.
> >
> > Still had good trip and made it home.
> >
> > Got a new cap from Vw dealer local . Was cheap, somewhere around 25
> bucks Canadian . It’s the real one.
> >
> > But since then I’ve worried about my original pressure tank . I’d like
> to make an aluminum one. Have made fusion model. Got no further.
> >
> > Thing is, there is no reason why the aluminum replacement tanks should
> be any worse than stock. The cap is pretty well a common cap. A sight glass
> in the tank would be nice but I’d go without if need be.
> >
> > The level sensor though. That’s a weak point. I’m suspicious of the
> stock after market ones.
> >
> > Jeeze , I’m just rambling now.
> >
> > Ab
> >
> >> On Mar 28, 2023, at 10:21 AM, Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net>
> wrote:
> >>
> >> Hi Mark,
> >>
> >> Thanks for that info and sharing that experience.
> >>
> >> Despite the advantages of the new metal tanks, they clearly are not
> perfect.
> >>
> >> And, good to be prepared with information and experiences. Once
> I get my 84 running for a few thousand miles this will be high on my list
> of prevention upgrades.
> >>
> >> Eric Caron
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>> On Mar 28, 2023, at 11:29 AM, Mark McCulley <mark@MARKMCCULLEY.COM>
> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> In an effort to make my van's coolant system more robust I got one of
> the GW aluminum expansion tanks about a year ago. Shortly thereafter I
> replaced most of the hoses and the radiator. My coolant system was anything
> but robust at this point, I had several leaks. After working on this for
> many hours I discovered that the pressure cap that came on the new
> expansion tank was defective, it didn't release pressure as it was supposed
> to and my system was over-pressurized. It was a frustrating experience,
> just want to relate this and recommend that pressure caps be tested
> whenever they are replaced and when there are issues around coolant leaks.
> Some parts stores like Autozone loan out pressure testers for free that
> will test the cap as well as pressurize the system to check for leaks.
> >>>
> >>> -Mark
> >>> '87 syncro Westy
>
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