Date:         Sun, 24 Oct 1999 11:48:14 -0400
Reply-To:     EMZ <vw4x4@FYI.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         EMZ <vw4x4@FYI.NET>
Subject:      Re: Has your Coolant Expansion Tank EXPLODED yet??!! (fwd)
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

            Eric                   86-VW4x4
            vw4x4@fyi.net          72-240z
            Pittsburgh, PA USA     1936-Chrysler


---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Sun, 24 Oct 1999 11:46:41 -0400 (EDT)
From: EMZ <vw4x4@fyi.net>
To: Peter <printstud@bigfoot.com>
Cc: vanagon@gerry.vangon.com
Subject: Re: Has your Coolant Expansion Tank EXPLODED yet??!!

First I hope you don't mind if I post this back to the list....I think
everyone should here this.....
When bleeding the Vanagon cooling system it is impossible to get all
the air out of the system. This is true with any vehicle but worse
on Vanagons. In the Rad. cap there is a valve that self bleeds the cooling
system as you drive the vehicle. In the expansion tank air collects and
high pressure forces the air out into the over flow tank. When the
engine cools the cooling system contracts, and causes coolent to be
suck back into the expantion tank, the next time the engine is started.
This is why it is important to keep the overflow tank and its hoses in
good shape and making an air tight seal. You will note after opening
the system for any reason the temp. gauge will run high for a while.
After the system has no more air in the expansion tank the system will
run cool, (or just below the LED).
   Removing the expansion tank, is the easies part, it is there to collect
air, and in a high location. So refill without to much intervention to the
rest of the cooling system and you done. Over the next several weeks
keep an eye on the overflow tank and refill as needed.
    ONe last note, the expanton tank is part of a closed pressurize
cooling system and SHOULD NEVER BE OPENED. Every time it is, the system
is introduced to air and has to bleed itself.

            Eric                   86-VW4x4
            vw4x4@fyi.net          72-240z
            Pittsburgh, PA USA     1936-Chrysler


On Sun, 24 Oct 1999, Peter wrote:

> Eric, Really, you can do it with out bleeding the system??   I was looking
> at it yesterday and wondering if that might be possible??!!  But I figured
> air bubbles would get into the system??
>     I had thought of first sucking all the excess coolant out of the old
> tank (with a turkey baster, not the kiction one tho) and then slipping them
> on.
>  I see that the lower tube goes DOWN, so disconnecting it wouldnt introduce
> any air becuase you would just fill that tube up with coolant when you
> topped off the new tank!   But what about the top tube??  that goes up from
> there.  Wouldnt air get introduced into the system when you disconnect that
> one??  I wonder if you could pinch that tube to prevent the air from getting
> past it?   How did you prevent the air from getting in?  Or did you figure a
> little would get in when you did this and it wouldnt matter?
>
>
> Peter
>
> ----------
> >From: EMZ <vw4x4@fyi.net>
> >To: Peter <printstud@bigfoot.com>
> >Subject: Re: Has your Coolant Expansion Tank EXPLODED yet??!!
> >Date: Sat, Oct 23, 1999, 11:52 PM
> >
>
> >    NO. My tank was $18....If I remember. Also you can quickly slip
> > a hose off, one at a time, and never have to bleed the system.
> >
> >             Eric                   86-VW4x4
> >             vw4x4@fyi.net          72-240z
> >             Pittsburgh, PA USA     1936-Chrysler
> >
> >
> > On Sat, 23 Oct 1999, Peter wrote:
> >
> >> Cheap & easy:  Did you get your tank for about $30?  and by easy do you
> >> mean, you do have to drain & refill the coolant and bleed the system to
> >> install the new one, no?
> >>
> >>   Thanks, Peter
> >> ----------
> >> >From: EMZ <vw4x4@fyi.net>
> >> >To: Peter <printstud@BIGFOOT.COM>
> >> >Subject: Re: Has your Coolant Expansion Tank EXPLODED yet??!!
> >> >Date: Sat, Oct 23, 1999, 2:42 PM
> >> >
> >>
> >> >  I have had to replace this tank in every Vanagon I've owned. Total
> >> > of 4. Good thing it's cheap and easy.
> >> >
> >> >             Eric                   86-VW4x4
> >> >             vw4x4@fyi.net          72-240z
> >> >             Pittsburgh, PA USA     1936-Chrysler
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > On Sat, 23 Oct 1999, Peter wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> Hi Fellow Syncronauts!
> >> >>         I wanted to know what your experiences were with  the Coolant
> >> >> Expansion Tank!
> >> >>          I recently heard that all  Vanagon Coolant Expansion Tanks
> explode
> >> >> at about 80K miles, which can be a real bummer if you're off on some trip,
> >> >> out in the middle of the desert, as I plan to be!
> >> >>         I'm now at 84K and I can see (when i look closely) some very fine
> >> >> superficial hairline cracks (they almost look like just scratches, but I
> >> >> know they're not, by the pattern they form) on the tank.  I'm debating
> >> >> wheather to replace mine now, or wait (and bring the spare tank along with
> >> >> me, and all the tools & anti freeze & distilled H20 etc, just in case).
> >> >>    I have now heard from one '90 syncro owner who had it happen around
> >> >> 100-150K (couldnt remember exactly)
> >> >>   Thanks for sharing your experience,
> >> >>
> >> >> Peter '87 Syncro
> >> >>
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >
> >
> >
>