Date:         Thu, 30 Sep 1999 02:35:46 EDT
Reply-To:     Sussmn@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Carol Sussman <Sussmn@AOL.COM>
Subject:      BD popseal: where I yam what I yam: coolant sensor crack
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

   Belated thank yous to the dozen people who sent detailed replies to my
query on installing the replacement popseal.   Thanks also to Ron of the Bus
Depot for cutting the length with approx. 10 inches to spare.  Now I have a
patch piece and sample to show other volks.
      The replacement seal is not as thick and heavy as the original, but
nicely designed. Grips the edge of the rooflid nicely, has an interior flange
to keep water out.  I added a thin bead of silicone sealant on the rear
corners where the gap between the seal and the roof was  wider than the
flange. (Silicone caulk/sealant is a favorite of mine, right up there with
duct tape and Never Seize)  Tapped the seal into place with a wood block .
     DON"T  use  much force when you install/tighten the coolant sensor in
the expansion tank.  Went to see Ken Wilford (Vanagain guru) today to get
parts.  We assumed the coolant puddling on top of the expansion tank came
from a crack in the tank. Ken removed the tank, found it was almost new.
Checked the sensor, found a hairline crack above the o-ring, probably caused
by attempt to tighten the sensor. Dont'cha just love threaded plastic?
Especially on components exposed to temperature extremes?   Now you know
where the engineers in the bottom of the class went to work.
       Ken found a crack I would not have seen, and also a frayed short
length of vacuum hose which he replaced at no charge.  Good wrench, honest
guy with the twisted sense of humor required to enjoy weird cars.
Carol S Sussman   south New Jersey near Delaware Bay, soon visiting VT.
"Not a mechanic, just a driver with a toolbox"
"Are we having fun yet?"  from underneath my last MGB in the rain in pit lane
during SCCA hillclimb.