Date: Sun, 6 Aug 2006 10:30:38 -0400
Reply-To: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dennis Haynes <dhaynes@OPTONLINE.NET>
Subject: Re: Coolant temp at idle questions
In-Reply-To: <BAY113-DAV815E34723BC1C174A8EA5DF560@phx.gbl>
Content-type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
You definitely need to be concerned and be advised that the engine did
suffer a trauma. Remember this event when you have a future engine problem
and blame it on the water boxer. The first question did the radiator fan
ever turn on? If not, that is the first problem. There are many reasons for
it to not work from electrical to a problem with coolant flow. You need to
get things tested and working properly.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Ryan Shawley
Sent: Saturday, August 05, 2006 9:24 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Coolant temp at idle questions
Hi I have an 86 westy (with AC) with 79k on the original engine that appears
to have had new heads at some point. I've only owned this since May. I've
put 2000 miles on it so far with no real problems except one instance of
overheating with boil over. Normally the temp guage stays right at the led
level in the middle with very little variance (maybe the width of one led up
or down). I noticed the temp creeping up one afternoon after trying to
coach my wife on parking and taking turns in a parking lot but no
overheating or anything bad. In July I went to a festival in WV, the van
did fine the whole way there. The festival was on the top of a mountain
and driving in involved alot of waiting, driving forward 30 feet, waiting 10
minutes, and so on. I was in line for about 30-40 minutes and then noticed
my temp shoot up all of a sudden, I tried to rev up the engine and turn the
heat on but things kept going up. The coolant boiled over and I had to pull
off an crack a beer. I waited about 40 minutes, topped off the coolant and
drove to my camp area. The drive home was uneventful with steady temps and
no coolant loss. I just came back from a 400 mile trip with no temp
problems. Should I be concerned about this boilover episode or is probably
a fluke as a result of sitting in traffic in poor conditions (hot dusty
mountain road). By the way my fan does kick on, not that often though, I
rarely hear it when I park and turn the engine off. Secondly what should I
do if I notice the temp rising again, ie rev engine? shut it off? I have
more questions which I'll post in seperate emails.
Ryan
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