Date:         Thu, 26 Feb 1998 10:16:09 -0800
Reply-To:     Björn <bratjen@DIRECT.CA>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Björn <bratjen@DIRECT.CA>
Subject:      Re: Coolant light Flashing--'87 Westy
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

At 09:39 AM 26/02/98 -0500, you wrote:
>Hello All,
>A question.
>
>My coolant light flashes from time to time. It seemed to go away when I
>cleaned up the sensor contact, but still comes on a bit.
>
>I did have some air in the system. You know the coolant tank with the cap
>on top (not the license plate tank)? The little tube attached to that
>tank was not real tight.
>
>Is it possible that this let air into that tank? Would this keep that
>tank from sucking coolant back from the license plate tank? (I have a
>situation where the coolant tank was getting air in it and the license
>plate tank  was getting a bit too full).
>
>
>--Dave
>
>
First check the coolant level. There are sensors on the radiator and on an
expansion tank in the back. Then bleed the system for air (front wheels
slightly raised on ramps, engine should be at about 2000 rpm), open the
bleeder valve on the radiator until no air bubles are visible.
 
Trick: Take a clean 1L transmission oil bottle with a nipple, cut the bottom
out, attach a small clear tube on it, attach one end of the tube on the
bleeder valve of the radiator, hang the bottle upside down on the windshield
wiper with a piece of wire, fill the bottle half way with coolant, open the
bleeder valve, drive carefully around the block while checking coolant).
This will take all the air out of the coolant system.
Tip: do not use the windshield wipers during the procedure.

If the heads gaskets are gone you will find air buildup in the first
reservoir (not the overflow). If they are really gone it will blow of the
cap of the overflow reservoir and show irratic temperature movements.

Björn