Date:         Fri, 10 Dec 1999 13:44:58 -0600
Reply-To:     arbosch@RA.ROCKWELL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Alan Bosch <arbosch@RA.ROCKWELL.COM>
Subject:      Phred rides again...
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Spent the better portion of the day yesterday putting a new coolant distributor,
new belts, new dip-stick and tube, and fill and bleed the cooling system after I
blew out the coolant distributor last Saturday.  Overall, it wasn't a real tough
job.  I'm fortunate to have a ramp that I can drive the van up, that allows me
to walk under the vehicle for repairs.  The hoses that connect to the coolant
distributor were all in good shape - fortunately - and looked like they'd been
replaced a relatively short time ago.  That is to say, they weren't split or
cracked.  The only problem I had was when refilling the cooling system.  I had
premixed (50/50) the coolant and filled the tank prior to jacking up the front
of the bus.  After I opened the bleeder valves, started the engine, and
increased the rev's to 2000 or a little more, I was only able to add approx. 2
gallons of coolant.  As I understand it, that's somewhat normal, as there's a
bunch of places the coolant never really drains from.  Too, it's possible that
when the engine overheated I never lost ALL of the coolant to begin with.  After
I ran the van for a little while last night, I topped off the coolant tank with
perhaps a pint or two of coolant.  I checked again this morning after the drive
to work and the level is okay.  The temp gauge reads normal for my bus - about
one needle width above the LED.

My thanks to the list for the questions answered over the last week or so
(coolant distributor & engine damage due to overheating).  Thanks to Van-Again
for over-the-phone tech help and parts.  And if I may strongly suggest, if you
need dealer-only parts, and your local dealer claims that "...the Eurovan wasn't
made in '88..." (like my local dealer did!!), give Camelback VW in Phoenix a
call.  They seem to be knowledgeable, friendly, and professional, and they do
give a discount off of retail list price.

Alan Bosch
& Phred ('88 Wolfsburg)
Rochester, NY