Date:         Wed, 28 Oct 1998 20:31:49 EST
Reply-To:     PKirsch461@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Paul Kirsch <PKirsch461@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Overheating 2.1L Questions
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

My 90 Vanagon is overheating and I can't figure it out.  When I bought it
recently, it overheated on the way home.  I tried replacing the thermostat and
bleeding the cooling system, then having the radiator cleaned and tested.
This had no effect.

By overheating, I mean that the temperature guage would climb well past
halfway with no sign of stopping unless the heaters were being used.  Only on
my first ride did the overheat indicator light come on.  Using the heaters
would stabilize the temperature a little above the halfway point.

I decided that the engine should be repaired or replaced.  The heads were
showing signs of leaking.  I figured that either cooling holes were plugged
with sealant fom a previous head gasket/epoxy job or that combustion gasses
were entering the cooling system.  However, there was no sign ov coolant loss
or boilover.

When I fired up the used engine I installed, the temperature guage rose to the
same indication of too hot.  I replaced the temperature sensor.  This could be
a case of killing the bearer of bad news.  (At this point and in subsequent
attempts to correct the problem, I bled the cooling system.)  Still no
improvement.  I sensed failure.  In the morning I discovered leakage of
coolant from the left head.  I confirmed failure.

Does anyone knows how the cooling system can be corrected.  I realize the
heads need work, but I would like to know the cooling system is OK before I
attempt any more repairs.

Everything I have done to this van has had no effect on cooling.  I replaced
the radiator with one from my parts van, I flushed the radiator return line
with a hose, I tested the original thermostat in boiling water and reinstalled
it.

Currently, as the engine warms, the cooling line to the radiator warms, the
right side of the radiator warms, the left side of the radiator stays cool,
the coolant return line stays cool right up to the thermostat and the
temperature guage says HOT.  The radiator fan comes on appropriately.

Shouldn't the coolant return line be at least warm on an overheating engine?
Can leaking heads cause this overheating?  Could this just be the temperature
guage malfunctioning?  If so, what is the best way to diagnose this?
Is there anything else I'm overlooking?


Thanks, Paul

<A HREF="PKirsch461@aol.com">PKirsch461@aol.com</A>