Date:         Wed, 26 Aug 1998 11:13:16 -0700
Reply-To:     "Michael A. Radtke" <m.radtke@ELM.AZ05.BULL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         "Michael A. Radtke" <m.radtke@ELM.AZ05.BULL.COM>
Subject:      Re: replacing coolant expansion tank
Comments: To: "Vanagon@VANAGON.COM" <Vanagon@VANAGON.COM>,
          Steve Caslowitz <scaslowitz@BERKSHIRESCHOOL.ORG>

Steve et al,

I have never bled my Vanagon's cooling system, and I have replaced lots of
pieces of it.

If you are able to make relatively short trips after the repair, this is
how to do it:

1) When the repair is complete, fill the system through the expansion
   tank.

2) With the expansion tank open, run the engine at idle until the
   thermostat opens.  You can detect that by observing lots of coolant
   movement in the expansion tank and some water vapor rising from
   the expansion tank opening.

3) Shut off the engine.  Don't let it run beyond seeing about as much
   water vapor as might be given up by a cup of hot coffee, or you may
   boil some coolant out when you shut off the engine.

4) Top off the expansion tank and close it up.

5) Fill the overflow tank to the MAX mark.

6) After the engine is cool, fill the overflow tank again.

7) Use the Vanagon, but be sure to watch the temperature gauge.  Stop
   immediately if the gauge goes beyond normal.

8) Repeat steps 6-7 until no more coolant is needed.


If you are in the repair business and need to complete the repair in short
order, or are on a trip, you will have to bleed the cooling system.
 Otherwise, the above method should work just fine, but perhaps take a
couple of days to complete.

Mike   '84 GL   '58 Isetta


Michael A. Radtke  -  Z74               Voice: 602-862-4897
Bull                                      FAX:         4853
13430 N. Black Canyon Hwy.
Phoenix, AZ  85029                      Email: m.radtke@bull.com