Date: Tue, 2 Jan 2001 13:35:33 -0800
Reply-To: "MOST,DAVID" <most@UCLA.EDU>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "MOST,DAVID" <most@UCLA.EDU>
Subject: Re: Request for Help - Overheating Problem
In-Reply-To: <3494325618.978451901@NORTHSTAR.CC.CMU.EDU>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII
The sensor that controls the LED at the temperature gauge is housed in the
main resevoir, not the overflow tank to which you added coolant. The main
resevoir is the tank to the left as you're facing the engine while
standing at the rear of the vanagon. It is likely that the level is low
in this tank. You can add water to the main resevoir by taking off the
little hose and uncscrewing the cap.
David
On Tue, 2 Jan 2001, dianne gigler wrote:
> I have been using my '87 GL Westy as my daily driver for the past 5 months.
> I am the third owner and have owned it for three years. It currently has
> under 80k miles.
>
> Recently I encountered a problem that I hope this group will assist me in
> solving.
>
> While driving yesterday, the red temperature light came on; the temperature
> needle was about one-third to one-half of the way up. I immediately pulled
> over, shut the engine off, and waited about five minutes. I restarted the
> engine and everything appeared to be fine, but about two minutes later the
> same thing happened. I drove to the nearest exit (about 2 miles) and drove
> to an Ames located quite near the exit. I checked the level in the coolant
> reservoir and it appeared to be empty. I went into the Ames and purchased
> a gallon of Prestone coolant - the only brand they had in stock- and filled
> the reservoir. I was surprised that less than one-fourth of the jug was
> needed for the reservoir to reach the "max" level. I started the engine
> and let it run for several minutes to see if the level in the reserve tank
> went down. It did not, so I closed things up and drove away.
>
> About three minutes later, the light came on again and the needle was below
> the half-way mark. I checked the reserve tank level and it was still at
> the "max" level. Against my better judgement, I decided to proceed to my
> destination which was about seven miles away. The light remained on the
> entire time, but once again the needle did not go beyond the half-way mark.
> I made arrangements to borrow car and garaged the vanagon at my destination
> after once again checking the coolant level which had not change.
>
> I have limited mechanical abilities, but am willing to give most anything a
> try. For financial reasons, I would like to avoid taking the vanagon to a
> mechanic unless this is absolutely necessary. Given the location of the
> van, the nearest VW mechanic would be at a small dealership five or six
> miles away. I have basic metric tools and can purchase parts from a local
> parts store that specialized in foreign vehicles or order from one of the
> list vendors.
>
> Any help - the more detailed the better- will be greatly appreciated.
> Thanks in advance for whatever assistance you can provide.
>
> Dianne
>
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