Date: Tue, 28 Mar 2023 15:54:44 -0400
Reply-To: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Confessions of a blind mechanic
In-Reply-To: <CAFdLW6mkPmY4jw7r6mk4e8FxGW9nXgWhignqgkpBoqJ7wBL_pQ@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
Yes,
I’ve heard of it. Maybe in a pinch that would work for something like my initial radiator leak?
I know many folks have used it but I’m concerned about how it might affect the motor and smaller coolant channels. If I can get the system to stop leaking with good parts I hope to start there.
How were you thinking it might be helpful to my situation?
eRic
> On Mar 28, 2023, at 2:37 PM, Dan N <dn92610@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
>
> hi Eric,
>
> Have you heard and consider using of Subaru coolant conditioner?
>
> On Tue, Mar 28, 2023 at 11:32 AM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net> wrote:
>
>> Correction, date on radiator is 2020, not 2000.
>>
>>> On Mar 28, 2023, at 1:39 PM, Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET> wrote:
>>>
>>> So folks,
>>>
>>> Things don’t always go perfectly.
>>>
>>> But, so far my most recent mess ups seem to be working out ok.
>>>
>>> I was excited to find a South African radiator from 2000. Hoping it is
>> one of the rare good ones. The unit was triple packed and had the most
>> desirable radiator name on the outside.
>>>
>>> So, I wanted to get everything done so a friend could help me bleed the
>> system.
>>>
>>> Mistakes began to happen.
>>>
>>> I put on the hoses in advance and as a expert stopped in I asked him
>> about the sensor install and he installed it.
>>>
>>> I then positioned the radiator with fan shroud in place and got it onto
>> a wide jack.
>>>
>>> I double checked position and location of wires and fan and sensor
>> plugs.
>>>
>>> New bushings on the radiator and time to put into place.
>>>
>>> I raised very slowly and kept checking for wires and anything else that
>> might be caught or out of place.
>>>
>>> Slowly, slowly, check, check again.
>>>
>>> Then a sound, a sort of metal crick. I looked everywhere for the
>> source. And then noticed, the temp sensor sticks out of radiator and was
>> under the metal of the van.
>>>
>>> My heart stoped. I lowered the jack a bit and moved the radiator
>> to clear the sensor.
>>>
>>> I felt all around it and all seemed good.
>>>
>>> I had thoughts of a destroyed radiator.
>>>
>>> What to do? Well keep going. Hope for the best.
>>>
>>> Slowly continued and then put in the lower brackets all seemed good.
>>>
>>> Attach the two rubber hoses and pipes. I marked the position of each
>> with tactile markers.
>>>
>>> I added coolant back and massaged hoses and then pressurized getting a
>> gallon in. I opened the radiator bleeder and then put a couple pounds of
>> pressure in the tank and got more coolant into the system.
>>>
>>> But then I noticed coolant at the front. I looked and realized the
>> lower bracket was pressing against the hose clamp screw. Had this messed
>> up the hose? Or worse cracked the radiator plastic.
>>>
>>> I lowered the bracket and adjusted the clamp to a better position.
>>>
>>> Re check. Still a leak.
>>>
>>> Then I realized. Maybe the radiator bleeder?
>>>
>>> I closed it and put a few pounds in. No leaks.
>>>
>>> Later we bled the system and hit a bump when my friend messed with the
>> bleeder.
>>> But, system was likely fully pressurized.
>>>
>>> No leaks from sensor, no leak from front hoses and connection areas.
>>>
>>> So, maybe these blind person errors didn’t do the serious damage I was
>> afraid of.
>>>
>>> But, only time and a fully running system, and a fan turning on and off
>> will see.
>>>
>>> Fingers crossed.
>>>
>>> I try so hard to be careful but sometimes bad luck and no vision get me.
>>>
>>> But, more often then not, good luck and care get me through.
>>>
>>> So, darn it, mistakes happen.
>>>
>>> Now to get that new rear bleeder on and see if I’m good to go.
>>>
>>> Eric Caron
>>
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