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Fri Jul 08, 2005 6:51 pm

OK- so the PO over tightens the clamp on one of those hoses, one of the two hoses that run from right to left (or left to right) above the engine towards the front of the car if your accessing through the engine compartment. It digs in and cuts the hose... drip drip drip. Pretty minor but I'm 3 weeks into a 4 week road trip[ and 1000 miles from home. I order the hose two day air UPS. It doesnt arrive and I don't know the tracking number and the reputable parts supplier is closed until monday. So I decide to swiss army about an inch off the hose (thereby bypassing the drip drip section and reclamp it. Yes! I feel like a freakin hero! But wait! I must blead the system!

I read the bentley, go through the procedure, run back and forth from the front of the van (on ramps) to the rear checking the bleader screw adding coolant, I'm flustered, tired, fu@# it up and coolant , coolant everywhere! (primarily spilling out of the uncapped expansion tank as I am at the front of the vehicle). This unfortunate event havent a few times.

The red idiot light blinks. I tell my wife (who is holding the accelerator to 2000 rpms, "don't worry, Im adding coolant!" more coolant everywhere, instead of stopping and gaining my thoughts, calming down, and re- reading the damn procedure I add more coolant it gushes out the expansion tank.... red light blinking, coolant cooant everywhere. (a Gallon? more?) I'm an idiot, an environbmental criminal. I'm out of coolant to add and I take a break, clean my mess, (with a garden hose and sheets :( ) and drink a beer.

"Why don't you go online for help" says the wife

I drink more beer and borrow my friends computer

I know the damn procedure and will sure as hell do it right next time with a clear head but in this exhuasted state I have a concern or two.

1) Could I have messed up or jeopordized my water pump in this 10-15 minutes of mayhem?

2) Could I drive 1/2 mile before bleeding the system to a location that is free from concerned and annoyed citizens (ie- an empty parking lot)

3)Any tips on this simple yet frustrating as hell procedure.

I know it's one of those things where once you do it you feel like such a jackass for making it so complicated in the first place!

Thank you.

Fri Jul 08, 2005 8:35 pm

It's a complicated system and procedure primarily because the system is so freaking HUGE. I mean, you have those large hoses front to back to the radiator, plus the lines to and from the heater core, plus the 2nd heater core under the back seat. And with the engine positioned the way it is the only way to assure getting the air out is to do it like in the book. I'

I'm not sure why your light would be blinking the whole time, as it sounds like you should have enough coolant in the tank for the sensor to pick up (unless it's bad) or is it on becasue of really high temperature? (hopefully not!)

as for your questions -

I would doubt that the water pump would have been damaged - it's just an impeller after all.

and driving it a half a mile - shouldn't be a problem if you start out with a cool or cold engine, provided you aren't in stop and go traffic the whole way.

I can't think of any tips offhand to offer though. Other than ask if you know your thermostat is working OK.

good luck, sound like you could use some!!

andy

Fri Jul 08, 2005 9:10 pm

I recently bled mine ALONE :0
Started with both bleeder valves open and coolant topped in expansion tank at idle... then jammed my steering wheel CLUB lock between the seat and accelerator pedel to keep her at 2000 rpm, run to the back and add coolant until expansion tank full again, run to the front and jiggle the bleeder screw to be sure there is room for air to escape, wait for coolant to start coming out, close that screw, run to the back , add a little coolant, get some coolant out of that bleeder screw, close it, cap expansion tank and put overflow hose on (quickly...the engines been revving a bit now...getting hot) , up to the accelerator to remove the jam.
I had to do it twice too...the first time I had the front bleeder screw too lose and it popped out spewing coolant everywhere including my face, with my eyes buring I paniced and shut the engine off...GUSH...coolant spewing out the back, run there and cap the expansion tank.
Think of it this way...it's a special joy not experienced by most vehicle owners ..and makes for great funny party stories :)

Fri Jul 08, 2005 9:35 pm

Dont worry, whats a little ethelene glycol on the ground? You ever been to a Walmart parking lot? Slicker'n than an ice rink.

I've done that on the roadside with a gurgerling HOT engine...after it cooled...that was the bad camper.

All my Vanagons have a little piece of wedge shaped wood below the rear wardrobe..wonder why? It makes a great throttle stop for any rpm you want. I always do it solo(shut up Viener) Drive bus up on to suitable slope or curb etc. With the engine cool or not freakin hot, set rpm to 2-3K, open rear valve, open front valve. Open both heater valves. Have lots of water/coolant ready. Open expasion cap and start pouring. Let it bubble out of the front for along time. Partially closing the screw seems to get a few more bubbles. Run back and forth alot. Add more coolant. Fiddle with the screw. Add more coolant. When it seems that bubbles are no longer coming from the radiator screw, tighten it. Cap the exp tank, hook up hose to overflow tank. Close engine comp valve. Pull throttle wedge out. Have a beer. Watch the over flow tank. Make sure it does not run dry. I've always felt I had to start over when that happened. Watch the overflow for several days during the heat/cool cycles.

Thats what works for, I hope it helps you.

Sun Jul 10, 2005 7:53 am

That light is a low level light for the coolant tank(not the overflow tank). After sensing that it is low it does not reset until you turn the ignition off even though it may have sucked enough coolant from the overfolw tank to be at the correct level while running.

Fri Jul 15, 2005 1:57 pm

Well hopefully you've figured out your probelms and are back on your way by now...

but if not, or maybe for next time...

As long as you will be the one driving the van for a couple of days, this will work. If you haven't emptied the entire system, but just lost a little when you opened up the one hose, seal the system back up, and then fill up the tank(s) if they've gone down.

Run the motor until it starts to get warm...hopefully once the thermostat opens, it will start to suck the coolant in your reserve tanks into the system.
If they go dry, I'd turn the motor off, let it cool down, and then fill 'em up again.

Continue this until it doesn't occur any more.

Then slightly raise the front of the van, and open the radiator bleeder screw a bit (just cracked a little).

Eventually, once the coolant starts to circulate through there, the air left in the system should make its way to the highest point and escape.

The reason I say make sure you will be the one driving for a couple days, is because it is good to open the bleeder screw a couple more times after a trip or when the motor is hot just to get any extra air out. That's why this method won't work for professional mechanics who need it completely done when you come pick up your van.

After a couple times, you should be all set. If it still seems to be running hotter than normal, then you probably have some air left.

here's a good link to check out:

http://benplace.com/bleeding.htm

cheers,
-jamos