Date: Sun, 8 Jan 2012 12:08:53 -0500
Reply-To: Steven Shelton <shelton4@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Steven Shelton <shelton4@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Fwd: Oil in Coolant
In-Reply-To: <BAY152-ds77BE028A7FF9076AA0930A09B0@phx.gbl>
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On my '85 Camper, with the passenger side head drain open, rear lower than
the front and bleeders open, about 10 quarts of the 18.4 quart capacity
drains out. If you want to do a full flush, multiple draining is
necessary. Between each draining, the engine must reach operating
temperature to open the thermostat and mix the old mixture with fresh
water. Each draining cycle removes some of the old coolant, but it will
mathematically never be fully drained. Here's approximately the cumulative
percentage of old coolant lost with each draining cycle: 1st: 55%, 2nd:
80%, 3rd: 90%, 4th: 96%. It's time consuming but not difficult to do.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@hotmail.com>
Date: Sun, Jan 8, 2012 at 9:55 AM
Subject: Re: Oil in Coolant
To: vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
Truly flushing the cooling system requires some disassembly and/or an awful
lot of water. Keep in mind that as you put water into the system you should
be collecting what comes out and disposing of it properly. There are drains
on the bottom of the heads to help drain the engine. Disconnecting the
radiator hoses up front is the only way to really empty the lines and
radiator. Disconnecting the heater hoses and compressed air to get the stuff
out of there. Avoid the temptation to drive with straight water. Cylinder
wall and stud erosion start quickly without the coolant additives. Test the
system to make sure it is holding pressure when done.
Dennis
-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Finn Runyon
Sent: Sunday, January 08, 2012 9:25 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Oil in Coolant
Thanks everyone who have weighed in on this issue. So far I have flushed
the cooling system, replaced the oil cooler and a fresh oil change. I took
it for a test last night late to stress it a bit to see if there would be
new oil migration into the coolant. The good news is that there seems to be
no oil in the coolant now! I will flush again today and add distilled water
and coolant. I think I am only getting about 50% of the coolant out of the
system when I drain it. Any advice on how to get the maximum amount purged
from the system?
It is running rough on start up. I also changed the plugs which looked
fowled, but as I bought this bus after the overheat issue, I have no
baseline of how it idled and ran before the incident. I will be calling on
your wealth of knowledge as I proceed, but want to express my gratitude to
all of you who have helped out on this, and on all the other panicked
situations over the years. It is good to be back on the list!
Best,
Finn 87 Pooh and 89 Roo
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