TheSamba.com :: View topic - Freak Leak

Fri Jul 22, 2005 10:35 pm

I recently flushed out and checked the cooling system and everything's been running perfect. Today I pull over and notice a drip under a sliding door creating a smallish coolant puddle. The coolant has been coming out of the groove that runs along the right side of the van and out of the little hole on the side of it. The van is not overheating, still runs fine and now it's not even leaking anymore!!? I filled the expansion tank a little although it wasn't that low.
I looked at the engine and it's bone dry. Where is the leak likely to be coming from? I'm fairly new to Vanagons..... oh and it's an '88.

Thanks!!!

Sat Jul 23, 2005 12:10 am

Howdy neighbor,

I betcha your rear heater is leaking. Sorry dude, they make a HUGE mess. Stinks after a while too. Everything soaks under the floor. Better hurry before it is too late.

I ended up removing the floor in my Westy and cleaning a long time. I also replaced some of that foam sponge stuff under there too. It is a LOT of work. Now my van don't stink inside any more.

I do NOT have the heater any more. I like the extra storage space.

As stated elsewhere by me: Those rear heaters are "evil."

This hot weather we are having will make it stink to high heaven in your van shortly, too, btw.

Sat Jul 23, 2005 8:34 am

Howdy and thanks.

It's funny because the first place I looked at was under the rear seat. I thought I had a container of coolant that somehow got opened in there and leaked out.
I'd be happy to take the heater out.... San Diego, 70 and sunny, right? :D

So this is nothing to do with the engine? Forgive my ignorance but there's coolant in the heater? Independent system? :?

Thanks again...

Sat Jul 23, 2005 11:29 am

Vespagetti wrote:

So this is nothing to do with the engine? Forgive my ignorance but there's coolant in the heater? Independent system? :?

Sorry, but this is part of the engine, the engine cooling system. You have 2 heaters, one in the dash, and one under the rear seat. You might try turning that heater off, using the bypass valve on the left side. If that has not been done already.
You need to determine where it is leaking from, the rear heater core, or the valve or other plumbing.
I have not removed mine, so I can't advise on the best method of removing. If you do, you need to do something with the plumbing to/from, as you can't leave it open.

Good luck.
Matt

Sat Jul 23, 2005 12:07 pm

:D another place to chevk is behind the right rear wheel. There is a connection there between the plastic tubes that go up to the radiator, and the rubber hose that goes to the motor. The connection is at a high point in the rubber, and sometimes when it is slightly seaping, the coolent will run downhill untill something interfears with it (like the first crossmember that it passes through...) I tooh an old resevoir cap and removed the pressure bypass from the top, and drilled the hose port to accept the valve stem from an old presta bicycle tube. Epoxy it in, and you have an instant pressure checker. put a few pounds into the system(15-20) and you can look for leaks without getting all burnt up... :twisted: :twisted:

Sat Jul 23, 2005 1:11 pm

Thanks guys. I guess I should have looked myself before asking silly questions. It was the little plug on top of the rear heater valve. It was cracked and it snapped as I unscrewed it. I tried shutting off the valve hoping that that would enable me to drive the van until I find and replace the part but the coolant is still coming out when engine is on. I'm thinking of finding the same size bolt and put some plumbers tape and a new gasket around it, temporarily. Would this work? Does coolant need to circulate thru this heater at all times for engine to be cooled properly? If I take the heater out all together would joining the 'in' and 'out' tubes be sufficient to make everything work OK?

Thanks again for pointing me at the heater I would have never looked there... :oops:

Funny sidenote: All the parts on the heater were made in Germany apart from the valve and the plug - the parts that failed, which were made in France. :roll:

Sat Jul 23, 2005 1:55 pm

You can borrow one from me. I live over in Del Cerro. PM me for more info. Or bypass it. My hoses have plugs in the ends at the moment until I get under there and put straight pieces where the Tees are. My dad is making me some nice stainless straights with the correct flairs at the end. Or you can go to Napa and get some straight plastic couplers. Do something to stop the leak as it will make a big mess.

Sat Jul 23, 2005 2:33 pm

:D That little dealie is a blead screw... to get the air out of the system. you should be able to use a plug, or a bolt to close it off. if you do.. use the o-ring from the broken piece on the bolt.. make sure to use a short one so you don't do any damage to the core...(don't know if it will matter)
:twisted: :twisted:

Sat Jul 23, 2005 3:02 pm

I reread your post. Just block them off. Do not join together. I read somewhere it would not be a good idea to circulate like that. You can stick plugs in the ends like I did. Pep Boys 1/2 inch plugs did it for me. Or you can stick bolts in. Or find a short bolt or screw for the bleed screw. Just get the same threads. Use a new or recycle the old O ring. Not a big deal.

BUT, BUT, BUT, the heater it self can start to leak at any time too. It seems to be sort of random. I've seen 91's do it too already. They all will let go. Not sure why, but they do. Ditch it, you don't need it in here in San Diego.