Date:         Wed, 27 May 1998 19:26:10 -0600
Reply-To:     printstud@CSI.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Peter <printstud@CSI.COM>
Subject:      Mystery Bentley coolant drain instructions
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; x-mac-type="54455854";
              x-mac-creator="4D4F5353"

Dear Syncronauts,

   After researching many long hours on the vanagon archives about how
to flush the cooling system, I came across several helpful members
descriptions on how to do it.

 But there were still several questions so I decided to break down & buy
the Bentley Manual. (BTW, both the old folks home and the bus depot were
out of stock and I needed it right away so I called JC Whitney who had
it in stock and could ship it out that day for $70!)

So far I'm not very happy with Bentleys description of how to flush (or
drain, which is all that is mentioned) the coolant out of the Vanagon.
Perhaps the author presumed that I already knew how to do it?? In which
case why would you need the manual??)  It is very confusing and has left
out a lot of steps!  And it doesn't make sense!

     First of all ( in section 19.15), it doesn't tell you?!   Is the
engine supposed to be cool or hot before draining?? (does the thermostat
want to be open or closed??

     Secondly, it DOES tell you to open the drain plugs on the heads,
but then says " in case the coolant hoses for heat exchanger have to be
removed, pinch hoses with hose clamp"    What does this mean?? are you
supposed to remove these hoses or not?? And if so are they talking about
reconnecting the same hoses when they say "pinch hoses with hose clamp"
or they talking about some how restricting the flow of coolant through
the hose??

     The above instructions came from fig. 1 &3 illustrations

     Next, I guess must be the beginning of the actual instructions:

     "-close hose from radiator to thermostat with hose clamp" - and
they ask you to close another hose.
        Again this completely baffles me: What are they asking you to do
here???  was this hose supposed to be disconnected (open) to begin
with?  Am I supposed to try and pinch off the possible flow of coolant
by tightening up a hose clamp around this hose???  That doesn't sound
possible??  Maybe it is?  wouldn't that damage the hose??
    The author goes on to ask you to close several more hoses, then he
says to drain at plugs, now that's the only part that makes sense to me!

      Next he tells you how to refill it,  what about flushing it,
aren't you supposed to at least flush it with water first??
    If anyone knows what Bentley is talking about here, I'd love to here
from you!

I'm Mystified!

Peter
'87 syncro Westy

email:
printstud@bigfoot.com