If the system was bled properly and the actual operating =
temperature (as
measured at the engine by a reliable instrument) is in spec, the next =
step is to
check it for HC in the cooling system. Requires a chemical test (tester
available from NAPA or other FLAPS) or an exhaust gas sniffer - any HC =
in
cooling system means leaky head gaskets or cracked
heads.
I presume you mean out of the overflow reservoir behind =
the
license plate when you say "from under the coolant =
expansion
tank cap"? You say you replaced the tanks and caps - does that mean =
with
new parts, or used? The cap IS supposed to open and close to allow small =
amounts
of coolant to transfer back and forth between the overflow and main =
tanks, but
if the stuff is overflowing the overflow, that's going too far. =
Could
be a bad cap, although that would be unusual, if it's a new one. I once =
had a
reservoir tank chronically leaking into the overflow - turned out the =
plastic
was eaten away at the surface that seals the bypass seal against the
tank.
Coby =
Smolens
Valley Wagonworks =
VW Bus and Vanagon Specialists =
"Intimately acquainted with VW Vans since
1959"
1535 SF =
Drake Blvd, San
Anselmo, CA 94960
415-457-5628
-----Original =
Message-----
From:
Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf Of =
jeff
emrick
Sent: Friday, August 24, 2001 2:56 PM
To:
vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Coolant
leaking
After driving my 84 Vanagon I =
notice coolant
coming from under the coolant expansion tank cap. I'm not sure =
if the
van is running hot or not. The water temp gauge doesn't work =
well all
the time. The cap is on tight. I just replaced the coolant =
and
refill tanks and caps, new thermostat, coolant, and bleed the =
whole
system. Is the cap supposed to open and close to allow for a =
pressure
release? Could I just have a bad cap? Any thoughts would =
be
appreciated. Thanks, =
Jeff