Date: Wed, 26 Nov 2003 07:17:38 -0500
Reply-To: vw4x4@FYI.NET
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Zeno <vw4x4@FYI.NET>
Subject: Warning !! Re: Coolant hose fatigue
In-Reply-To: <000a01c3b3de$053978b0$6801a8c0@williamvafwvvc>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
HAving a few minutes I though I would say a few things that
may save a Vanagon or two. What you did here is not a good
idea, by waiting to reach your destination. The 2.1L vanagon
will pump the engine dry, and the last thing to run out of
coolant is the switch in the tank that turns on the light. Also
the temp. gauge is useless under this circumstance, as the sender
is located in an area that will cool when you lose coolant.
These are the many reasons VW failed with this cooling system.
If you want to check the cooling system turn on the heater.
If the heater puts out good hot heat, the cooling system
is working well. Forget the gauges and the light.
Eric
developtrust wrote:
>I want to know if anyone can suggest any hoses that I should replace other
>than the one mentioned below (the small 2 inch hose that is about 6 inches
>long and goes from the engine to the long cooling pipes.)
>
>Driving down the freeway to San Diego California my LED light on the
>temperature gauge begins to blink and the van is running hot (the fan comes
>on and goes off.) When I reach my destination I call the VW dealer to ask
>about it. They say to look at the coolant tank, the one where you add
>coolant. It was empty so I refill it and start up the engine. My wife
>notices a leak below the van so I crawl under to look see and notice that
>the small 2 inch hose that goes from the engine to the long cooling pipes
>has a small pin hole leak. (It is probably a 1 & 1/2 inch hose.) I wrap it
>with tape and clamp it to get me home. I had to fill the coolant tank 3
>times to get the LED light to stop flashing. I made an appointment with the
>VW dealer to diagnose everything, replace that hose and flush the system to
>put in new coolant. It was due for new coolant anyhow after about almost 2
>years since the last flush and new coolant. I just do not6 feel like doing
>the work myself.
>
>I am asking advice from those who have had similar problems before. So other
>than this 6 inch long two inch OD hose what other hoses should I get
>replaced? Is it worth the effort and cost to replace all those expensive
>hoses or just wait for them to fail one by one?
>
>William
>
>
>
>
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