Date:         Mon, 13 Apr 1998 10:50:58 EDT
Reply-To:     GMBulley <GMBulley@AOL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         GMBulley <GMBulley@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Bed wetting & Coolant leak, was: Now here is a challenge!
Comments: To: mcp2@CORNELL.EDU, Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

In a message dated 98-04-13 10:31:28 EDT, mcp2@CORNELL.EDU writes:

<< I smell it after a trip.  I have to add coolant occasionally to the
 overflow tank.  And I have had friends point out drops under the engine.
 They seem to be under the right side of the engine.
         I've tried feeling arond for wet areas on the engine or hoses with no
 luck.  Can anyone offer some specific directions?  It does seem to be
 getting worse even though we haven't put many miles on the car.
         Any direction will be appreciated. >>

Okay Eric, call me crazy, but I'll take the challenge.

There is a device available, faily inexpensively, that alerts parents of their
child wetting the bed. It sounds an alarm when hit by the slightest moisture.

Being a jokester, I have drempt up many fun things I could do with one of
these devices, but never purchased one. Any way, I think the sensor from this
could help you. By touching/running the sensor across the areas where you
suspect there might be a leak, (too small to detect by touch alone), the
sensor "feels" for you and goes nuts when you hit coolant.

I understand that the sensor in this device works by having two metalic
contacts (perforated foil?) seperated by a semi-permeable membrane, like
perforated celophane.  Perhaps the pocket-protector-wearing folks at Radio
Shack could sell you a moisture sensor of some sort, too.

best luck,

gmbulley
cary, nc
Prov.17:22