TheSamba.com :: View topic - 85 Vanagon, Overheating and the infamous White Smoke

Wed May 06, 2015 6:41 am

My dearest van had been running seemingly fine, I checked fluids about a week ago and took her around the block yesterday until I noticed the temperature gauge flashing and seconds later a cloud of white smoke coming from the engine. I pulled over and immediately saw no coolant, filled it, waited awhile, got her back to her home.

Couple hours later I started her and let her idle for about 20 minutes until the temperature gauge just peaked and the light came on so I shut her off for the night. I couldn't hear the radiator fan come on, so I'm thinking this may be a combination of things. My biggest worry though is that the HG could be blown. From what I've read, this is likely, right? Sigh..

Wed May 06, 2015 6:59 am

Welcome.
Sounds like you are on the right path. Change the fuel lines while your in there ;)
You can also jump the wires at the coolant fan switch up front and verify the fan or the switch inop.

Wed May 06, 2015 8:11 am

it sounds like you may have a coolant hose leak. the clouds of smoke are actually steam, probably coolant splashing on hot exhaust. don't you see any puddles underneath?

the temp gauge shooting up very quickly and blinking means low coolant. given it happens after the van warms up, the leak is likely past the thermostat (where the waterpump is/left side of engine) and on one of the big hoses that lead to the front of the van.

Wed May 06, 2015 8:16 am

I really haven't noticed any puddles. I'm going to check again today. Thanks for the advice though, I am going to try to see if I can find a leak. I'm really just hoping nothing major was wrecked as a result of it overheating

Wed May 06, 2015 8:47 am

if you had said 'pulled over immediately' instead of 'pulled over and immediately' it would have been better. :)

was the white smoke (aka coolant steam) coming from the exhaust, or just the back of the van? some leaks will dump right on to hot exhaust, leaving no puddles since they turn into steam.

Wed May 06, 2015 8:56 am

Haha good point
and it was coming out of the back of the van as far as I could see

Wed May 06, 2015 10:24 am

The coolant reservoir is still full from last night and no liquid has leaked from underneath at all!

Wed May 06, 2015 5:32 pm

eikkaj wrote: The coolant reservoir is still full...

There are two reservoirs back there. By far the more important is the one on the left which should be completely full.

If the left one is low - top it up and keep an eye on it. If it is repeatedly low after a drive then further investigation is called for.

Wed May 06, 2015 6:19 pm

A head gasket leaks externally, O-rings leak internally, and a cracked head leaks into the combustion chamber. white smoke means antifreeze in the combustion chamber, pull the spark plugs and your problem cylinder will be evident.

Thu May 07, 2015 4:54 am

Coolant getting onto hot exs sys will do the cloud thing too. I f no leaks when u test after it'sfully warmed up i would change thst and rad fan kicking in , can be checked by letting idle too.

Thu May 07, 2015 4:09 pm

Filled the pressure tank up and let it idle for about 20 minutes. Noticed a small leak and at around 20 minutes coolant started pouring. Guess I found my leak :)

Thu May 07, 2015 4:37 pm

So is it a leak in that tank?

If so, you are a lucky dude - that is a cheap and easy fix.

Thu May 07, 2015 4:41 pm

As far as I could tell, yeah. It's leaking from under the tank so I guess it could be the hose. I had to run so I couldnt see exactly where under there. I'll look again tomorrow more easily while its cool.

Thu May 07, 2015 4:45 pm

I took off the bottom grill while I was waiting and couldnt hear the fan though so there may be issues on that side as well...

Thu May 07, 2015 4:49 pm

Fan may be unrelated. Fix the leak first. Careful not to get burned by the steam - can be shockingly hot if you're not expecting it. Most likely scenario involving that tank is the sensor on top of it failing and letting water dribble out onto the exhaust below. Use eye protection as that sensor could be cracked and fully come apart.

DougM

Sat May 09, 2015 10:58 am

Upon further inspection it looks like coolant could at least be coming from the cap, which I should have thought to replace right away anyway. I also noticed that no coolant from the overflow tank seems to be getting pulled into the expansion tank. Water pump?

Sat May 09, 2015 11:01 am

If its coming out the pressure cap because the seal is bad, that same bad seal means it won't draw from the overflow tank to refill itself when cooling after shut down. So, cap for sure. Just don't overlook the sensor issue. Tough to know which (cap/sensor) is the source unless you are looking at it while the engine is hot and the leak is happening. They'll both fill the sensor area, and they'll both drip off the sides of the tank. But start with the cap.

Sat May 09, 2015 11:18 am

Purchase a good quality German cap from one of the specialty vendors. VC will send you a cookie too. No, you won't find it at your FLAPS or on Amazon or Ebay last I looked. I found out the hard way on this one, and have some "new" yet non-functional caps around. Save yourself the time, money and aggravation. Also I personally avoid any URO parts... just complete junk, imo.

-Kevin

Mon May 11, 2015 6:50 am

I really enjoy the cookies VC sends :)

I actually took the expansion tank OUT and saw that the seam has about a 1-inch long split in it. I'm buying a new tank, caps and sensor today.

Mon May 11, 2015 8:10 am

eikkaj, Do you know how to bleed air out of cooling system? This is very important.
Best way I've found: Raise rear of Vanagon on ramps or in steep driveway with front wheels in gutter. Open heat controls on dash and rear underseat heater to Hot (red mark on dash). Engine should be cool or barely warm. If hot do something for 45 min.
Fill expansion tank (where blue cap screws on) about 2/3s full. Run engine at idle for about a minute. With engine off fill tank again if nec.
Remove front grille. Unscrew radiator bleed screw at top of rad near right headlight. Air will come out, reinstall screw when coolant comes out.
Fill expansion tank again. Run engine again for about a minute and shut off. This may seem complicated, but it is quicker and more effective than the procedure in the shop manual ("Bentley book").
Top of exp tank again if nec. Screw on blue cap and attach hose from recovery tank. Fill recovery tank (the one behind the license plate) to "full" mark.
Run engine, check for leaks and proper operation of electric fan on radiator. Check recovery tank level over the next week or so every day.
BTW coolant will only transfer from recovery tank into the system if the cooling system is properly sealed. If there are any leaks, such as the crack in your expansion tank, air will go in first.
The expansion tanks are a "maintainence" item. Quality has gone down since OEM tanks stopped being made. I keep one in the garage and regularly check the tank for cracks. Common crack locations are around where the cap screws on and between cap and level sensor.
Also level sensors can break and let coolant out/depressurize system.

I carry a spare in the van along with a socket that fits.