Date: Sun, 1 Mar 1998 14:13:02 -0800
Reply-To: Sam Scholten <vwvanagon@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Sam Scholten <vwvanagon@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Re: Cold blooded
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
---"Thomas D. Hanlon" <hanran.inc@internetMCI.com> wrote:
>
> On an 84 Westy, where are the "bleeder screws in the engine
> compartment?"
>
Tom,
Don't feel like that is a stupid question; I had the roughest time
finding my bleeder valve the first time I filled the cooling system in
my '84. If you blink, you miss it, and Bentley is little help.
Actually, it is not a screw, it is a valve like the one on the
radiator. (I assume you know where that is; if you don't, it is to
your left as the front grille is removed.)
For purposes of orientation, I will use Muir's system: front is the
front of the vehicle; rear is toward you. Right and left are your
right and your left. All right, you will see two large cooling hoses
wrapped around the top front of the engine. The hoses are suspended by
two large, readily noticeable clamps. Look CAREFULLY at the left
clamp, and you will see it, slightly offset.
As you fill the cooling system, always bring two friends. Don't
underestimate how many of your friends would like to brag about how
they helped work on a Volkswagen Bus! Anyway, to bleed and top off the
system, jack the front of the bus up about a foot and a half, putting
it on axle stands. I like to jack the bus up at the A-arms, and hold
it in place with the axle stands put under the front jacking points-
it's more steady that way.
Crank your heaters, front and rear. Fire up the motor, letting it warm
up so the thermostat can open. After 5-10 minutes, loosen the radiator
bleeder valve with a box-end wrench (ratchet won't fit) and twist open
the engine bleeder valve with your fingers. It'll be futzy. Have
Friend #1 stand at the radiator, wrench in hand; have Friend #2 push
down the gas pedal by hand about 2". Start topping off the system at
the expansion tank. (You DID get phosphate-free antifreeze, right?)
Friend #1 will tighten the radiator valve when s/he is absolutely sure
there are no bubbles in the antifreeze coming out. You will do the
same at your end. Keep topping off the system until the level at the
expansion tank stays consistent (should be soon). Now you're through,
so take the bus down off the axle stands and have a beer; you and your
friends deserve it.
Sorry for the bandwidth, but I hope this helps!
Best regards,
Sam
=
"Punk's not dead (it just sucks right now)"
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