Date: Sun, 3 Oct 1999 14:18:45 -0400
Reply-To: John <johnpatt@WARWICK.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: John <johnpatt@WARWICK.NET>
Subject: Re: Coolant Flush and Fill
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
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
