Date: Sun, 12 Jul 1998 17:31:09 EDT
Reply-To: EBeighley5@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From: Jason Beighley <EBeighley5@AOL.COM>
Subject: '84 H2O pump swapped; more questions
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Spent the entire day yesterday replacing the water pump on my van. I was a
little over the three or four hour time estimate (like 10-12 hours total), but
I learned a lot and had fun. Ended up removing tha A/C motor and alternator
(and both their mounts) to make for an easier reach for some things, but it
wasn't too bad. I broke off one of the bolts that joins the two halves of the
thermostat housing together, and had to find someone to tap it out and then
replace it with a heli-coil(?). I was convinced that since I did it on
Saturday there would be no one available to fix me up, but made some phone
calls and it worked out OK.
When it came time to raise the front and commence the refill, it was fast
approaching dark and I was anxious to get finished. We actually only shut off
the motor twice but had added two gallons of coolant (walmart tech 2000-only
$3.50 per gal here in NC, BTW) plus about the same amount of water. Had a
nice stream of bubble free coolant coming out the screw on top of the
radiator, and after shutting off the last time and restarting, added an
additional gallon plus of mixture (part of the above total). The engine was
quite warm when we finished and I had a fifteen mile drive home in 80 degree
heat, and didn't run any hotter than usual. Does this sound like I covered
everything? Prior to the swap, I'd been adding coolant to my overflow tank to
it's max line every week at least. Too early to tell for sure if that problem
will persist but probably so. I guess what I'm getting at is since I was most
likely low on coolant at least some of the time anyway, was my refill
procedure sufficient? And does anyone have any ideas on where I'm losing
coolant? There aren't visible signs of a leak. I don't recall how many times
the bentley says to do it, but I remember Darrell saying he did it five times
once. Also, I'm not sure I opened the correct valve on the aux heater under
the rear seat. There's a lever on the nearest side to the sliding door that
swivels and I put it where it wasn't before. According to bentley page 80.16,
this lever is on the heater under the rear seat, so I think it's the right
one. There's also a white circular knob on top that turns to open, but my
friend said he wouldn't mess with that one, but I did anyway, and got coolant
all over the back of my van. Then I didn't mess with it anymore. :-I
I read on this list last week that it's okay to pour water-coolant mixture
down the drain because it's harmless when it reaches the treatment plant
anyway. Is this true, and what about if you live out of town where there are
no treatment plants and it just goes to a septic tank? What about the amount
that ends up on the ground? As long as it's rinsed away sufficiently so
animals can't drink it is it OK?
Sorry this was so long. Thanks to all who gave me advice and encouragement,
and TIA for answers to any of the preceding.
Jason
'84 GL
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