Date: Wed, 14 Oct 2015 11:25:51 -0600
Reply-To: Eric Wunrow <VW@ERICWUNROW.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Wunrow <VW@ERICWUNROW.COM>
Subject: Re: Missing coolant
In-Reply-To: <B6D0893B-AFAB-4851-B168-78397387FA12@EricWunrow.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=windows-1252
> Yes, mine are from Meyle.
>
> Jim, your inline valve idea is great!
>
> Eric
> Eric Wunrow Pictures
>
> 303. 988. 8717
> VW@EricWunrow.com
>
>
> <EW Email Sig.gif>
>
> On Oct 14, 2015, at 8:08 AM, Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
>> You are exactly right, the one-way feature on the valve is something I have
>> know VW shops to argue about. When I had a 2.1, I would test them before
>> leaving the parts place because so many of them didn't work out of the box.
>> The "good" ones didn't last long, either. I suspect you might be buying a
>> brand called "Meyle Germany" but that is just the brand name some company
>> bought, and they could be made absolutely anywhere. You might try the
>> dealers but good luck with that.
>>
>> One of these days, all vanagon drivers are going to be using that cap
>> simply as a connection to a one-way valve from a third party, inline
>> between the reservoir tank and the overflow tank.
>>
>> Jim
>>
>> On Wed, Oct 14, 2015 at 2:41 AM Eric Wunrow <VW@ericwunrow.com> wrote:
>>
>>> I'm a total rookie compared to you guys, but wanted to note I've had at
>>> least three expansion tank (blue) cap failures in 23,000, full-time miles
>>> over 26 months on the road. I believe the failures are somewhat related to
>>> how many heating/cooling cycles they're asked to do.
>>>
>>> I only buy the German ones, and my test is if you can both suck and blow
>>> on the cap, it's toast (please keep the jokes to yourself).
>>>
>>> My understanding is the cap should only release pressure one direction —
>>> not two.
>>>
>>> Eric
>>> Eric Wunrow Pictures
>>>
>>> 303. 988. 8717
>>> VW@EricWunrow.com
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> On Sep 28, 2015, at 3:27 PM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM>
>>> wrote:
>>>
>>>> Thanks Jim, the cap was replaced with an OEM cap when the water pump was
>>> done 13,000 miles ago, and the overflow tank doesn’t show any evidence of
>>> any spillage on or under it. I’m thinking small leaks too, but I’d like to
>>> narrow it down. The 2.1 has a lot more hoses than my 1.9!
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Stuart
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> From: Jim Felder [mailto:jim.felder@gmail.com]
>>>> Sent: Monday, September 28, 2015 2:21 PM
>>>> To: Stuart MacMillan; vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com
>>>> Subject: Re: Missing coolant
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Old hoses leak microscopic amounts of coolant. Ive had it spray onto the
>>> engine in such small quantities that it would evaporate before you could
>>> see it. Tighten hoses, replace hoses is about all you can do. But you
>>> didn't mention testing the pressure cap. That can send a good deal of
>>> coolant into the expansion tank, which can drip on the road through the
>>> overflow and you won't know it.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Jim
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Mon, Sep 28, 2015 at 4:11 PM Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@gmail.com>
>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Just when everything seems to be sorted out, it isn't. Son's '87 is
>>> losing
>>>> over a quart of coolant every 400 miles, and I can't find any leaks.
>>> Rear
>>>> heater has been removed, and there is no odor from the front heater. No
>>>> drips anywhere-engine plumbing, heads, transmission cooler, radiator, or
>>>> front heater valve. No evidence of coolant mixing with either the
>>>> transmission fluid or engine oil, and that much coolant would certainly
>>> foam
>>>> oil.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> I'm wondering if it's burning coolant, but in my experience failed
>>> sealing
>>>> rings in Vanagons lead to over pressurization of the system, and that's
>>> not
>>>> happening. It also runs great. I sometimes notice a faint smell of
>>> burning
>>>> coolant at the engine compartment vents, but I can't find anything
>>> dripping
>>>> on the exhaust when the system is pressurized.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Would investing in a UV leak detection kit tell me anything? It would
>>> seem
>>>> losing this much coolant would show up somewhere.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Any ideas?
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> Stuart
>>>>
>>>
>>
>
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