Karl F. Bloss wrote: > > > I gather from a variety of posts that there is a RIGHT way to flush and > > refill the coolant and that it's important that it be done just so.
List Menbers: The list has produced many good suggestions for flushing the Vanagon cooling system but I've read two more (from other non-list sources) that seem useful: 1) Install a "Prestone" brand (garden hose) "Tee" in the supply heater hose (at roughly the center door opening) to conveniently flush the system. This provides "Flush" pressure on both sides of the cold (closed) thermostat. If specific flushing is desired, pinch the heater hose on the opposite side of the "Tee" to pressurize the other side of the cooling system. With LIMITED GARDEN HOSE PRESSURE, Open or close the coolant tank cap or the radiator bleeder to control the directional flow of the cooling system flush. 2) Following the flush, add baking soda to the cooling system to neutralize corrosive acids and provide a PH re-balance and then FLUSH the baking soda solution out before filling with VW AUTOBAHN phosphate-free coolant and distilled (neutral) water. I've used this process on my two Vanagons but I have not logged any real mileage to verify the effectiveness. However since the Prestone Tee is about $1.00 and the baking soda is <$1.00, it's a good alternative to the ~$1,000 cylinder head reseal / replacement cost. SPECIAL NOTE: Don't buy the complete Prestone kit, that's only for domestic car radiators - just buy the extra Tee that fits your heater hose inside diameter (there are several, usually in bins, for all heater hose inside diameters). See the cooling system schematic in the Bentley book to understand this better. If you need a cooling system schematic, I can send you my (hand drawn) copy but there will be a cost.
If you have any comments about this process, I would appreciate hearing from you. However PLEASE hold the baloney about how many dogs you have, what the weather's like where you live, whether you are a "starving" college student or how many Angels you really saw dancing on the head of a pin................. I know this may sound List PC incorrect BUT I'd just like to know how your Vanagon is functioning and any Vanagon problems that cannot be solved. Regards, JP |
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