>> My '84 Vanagon camper has this problem where every 30,000 >>miles or so the head gaskets begin to leak, causing gas buildup in >>the water cooling system. This first appears as a rising coolant >>level in the overflow tank next to the oil dipstick. Next the >>dashboard heater quits because it fills with gas. Finally (about >>2K miles later) the leaking gas literally blows coolant out of most >>of the cooling system and the temperature sensor begins to signal >>imminent meltdown! > >In my '85, I had an experience last week of coolant overflowing the >overflow tank. Level rose. meltdown was signalled by temp. sensor. They >drained and replaced the coolant and could find no other "cause". It now >runs fine and temp is back to normal. > >Strange. > >James Cook When mine started having the same problem after its headgasket replacement at a cost of $900 in 1987, both my VW shop and local VW dealer believed the headgasket would have had another meltdown and cracked gasket AGAIN. I refused to believe it and pay another $900 every 30~40K miles. Since 1990, I have been flushing the whole cooling system every fall. From then on, my water-boxer with "supposedly cracked headgasket" has added another 70k miles. Well, when it crowls up the Russian Hill in San Francisco, its temperature does go up a notch or even overshot the temperature warning light. But, by moving the temperature leveler right-and- left, the temperature comes down easily. It is a fact that these early VW's ('83-'87) water cooling system, due to its high elevation radiator and very long hoses, is VERY easy to have air accumulated in it. After a while, air will start cooking your cooling system and cause major damage. So, the periodical flush becomes a very important preventive maintenance. Regards, James
|
Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of
Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection
will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!
Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com
The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.
Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.