Date:         Sat, 10 Oct 1998 17:33:23 -0400
Reply-To:     mike and becky <mayfly95@PAONLINE.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         mike and becky <mayfly95@PAONLINE.COM>
Subject:      Re: 87 Vanagon temperature light
Comments: To: Bebe <jjohnston@EARTHLINK.NET>
Comments: cc: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Bebe,

My 87 had the same problem - turned out to be a hair line crack in the
expansion tank (not visible from license plate access) on the drivers side
of motor. I let the van run at idle till she heated up and coolant seeped
out the crack. I replaced that along with the sensor and it worked fine (for
a while).

I recently replaced ALL the coolant pipes and hoses because the po had used
the wrong coolant and the main pipe coming off of the water pump had
corroded thru the bottom.
While I was there I replaced all the other hoses and should have done the
water pump as well - she went two weeks later and I was back under the van
bathing in antifreeze.

Make sure you use phosfate free anti freeze when you flush or change your
coolant.

btw Bus Depot has the expansion tank and I believe the sensor at a good
pri$e the other coolant pipes and hoses I only found at the dealer  ran
about $240.00 for those.

Check the archives and / or  http://ruralinstitute.umt.edu/vwbus/faq.htm

Good Luck

Mike

87 Wolf W/E
89 Jetta
87 Westy (soon)

Bebe wrote:

> I just bought an 87 Vanagon, Wolfsburg edition. My temperature light
> flashes off and on at times. The bus does not seem to be overheating but
> worried that I may cause damage if I keep driving.Has anyone had the
> same problem or know what may cause this to happen?
>
> Thanks,
> Bebe