Date: Wed, 29 Sep 1999 12:45:04 -0700
Reply-To: "Renouard, Robert" <Robert.Renouard@METROKC.GOV>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: "Renouard, Robert" <Robert.Renouard@METROKC.GOV>
Subject: Re: Head leaks & Witches Brews.
Content-Type: text/plain
I've got the famous blinking red light syndrome and suspect gasses are
getting into the cooling system because the fill tank level is always higher
than the cap. A mechanic friend told me Silver Seal was definitely better
than Bars Leak because it gums up the systems less. I have decided to drive
it untill it dies because the motor has 180K miles and will replace with a
new long block. Right now I am gettting about 200 miles before the light
comes on but interestingly, once the light comes on, I can turn-off the
motor, restart it and the light turns off and the temperature gauge slightly
drops. This gets me an additional 100 miles before I have to add about a
quart of coolant. A few Questions:
1. Why does cutting the engine and immediatly restarting drop the
temperature?
2. How long can I expect to survive like this?
3. Even though I can add coolant and bleed the system in less than 10
minutes now, I am unsure of the sequence of steps. Bently does not say when
the engine compartment bleeder valve should be closed. For me it goes like
this:
A. Park uphill @ 5 degrees (not difficult in Seattle)
B. Remove grill and open radiater bleeder valve until air escapes
C. Open rear valve
D. Pull hose and open top tank (licsence tank would spill if opened)
E. Hold throtle w/ wire tie at 2000RPM
F. Fill top tank untill leaking from radiater bleeder
G. Close radiater bleeder and close top tank in back
H. Release throtle
I. Tighten engine compartment bleeder.
Should the back bleeder be close first, before the top tank cap, or last?
Finaly, the licsence tank shows leakage along the top seam. Could a leaky
tank be my problem, or is that just an other symptom of gasses in the
system?
> ----------
> From: Per Lindgren[SMTP:lindgre@ONLINE.NO]
> Reply To: Per Lindgren
> Sent: Wednesday, September 29, 1999 12:03 PM
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> Subject: Re: Head leaks & a GM mechanics suggestion.
>
> David Hayward wrote:
>
> > The product is simply a GM COOLING SYSTEM SEAL TABS (part no. 1051687).
> The
> > make up (as shown on the back of the pkg) states it is made from GINGER,
> > ALMOND SHELL & BORIC ACID.
> >
> > Do any of you engine experts know anything of this product or have any
> > experience with it ?
>
> I've heard an ancient tip from generations ago, to drop some cinnamon
> powder
> into the coolant to stop seeping coolant from small holes in radiators.
> I've
> tried it once, in a friends Peugeot, it worked for a couple weeks.
>
> PerL
> 87 Syncro 112i
>
