Author |
Message |
stlouisvan Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2009 Posts: 24
|
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 10:28 am Post subject: HELP,, Overheating and searched threads but no answer |
|
|
Hi, I"m new and signed up for some help. I have an 86 vanagon and keeps overheating. The water pump, thermostat and all fan fuses have been replaced. I've bled the system, even jacked the front end way up to bleed the radiator, and all seems fine for coolant levels. The radiator fan never kickes on, thinking it's the radiator fan switch, but, when I tripped the fan to come on, let it run with the fan on, the engine still runs way too hot. all the way up to the highest temp reading on the gauge. If I let it go too far, a hose blows, of which I've replaced 2 different hoses so far. It seems like the radiator doesn't get hot to the touch after its at it's highest level reading. What gives? It doesn't leak any oil, doesn't leak any fluid whatsoever. Engine runs really strong, but what is my problem... PLEASE HELP ME FIGURE THIS OUT... thanks |
|
Back to top |
|
|
rolfsky Samba Member
Joined: November 03, 2006 Posts: 106 Location: PDX-patriate, living in NorCal
|
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 10:33 am Post subject: |
|
|
Try running your front and rear heaters at full blast. If that helps, then your radiator is probably clogged/blocked. It wouldn't be unheard of since your radiator is now 23 years old and likely never been replaced.
Since your radiator isn't even getting hot, there's something stopping fluid movement in your radiator loop. That's either before, in, or after your radiator.
Best of luck! Let us know how it turns out! _________________ '85 Merian brown Vanagon Westfalia |
|
Back to top |
|
|
sagebus Samba Member
Joined: July 26, 2004 Posts: 310 Location: Temescal Valley, Corona California
|
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 10:40 am Post subject: |
|
|
With the radiator not getting hot, it is a good indicator the radiator is full of sediment and will need to be replaced. _________________ 1984 Vanagon GL, Wolfsburg Westy 1.9 ltr |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Terry Kay Banned
Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331
|
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 10:44 am Post subject: |
|
|
The reason the fan isn't kicking on is the radiator temp switch isn't getting any hot coolant to it.
That section of the radiator is plugged.
No coolant to the switch--no signal to the radiator fan.
Get a new radiator installed and your problems will be solved. _________________ T.K. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
stlouisvan Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2009 Posts: 24
|
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 10:52 am Post subject: |
|
|
Holy Cow, thanks for the advice. I ran the heaters and sure enough, the temp gauge never got hot. Drove it around the block to get it heated up and still never overheated. Got back home and felt the radiator.. still cold. Thanks for the help. Now I need to find a radiator.... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Williamtaylor33 Samba Member
Joined: September 07, 2007 Posts: 1545 Location: Arkansas
|
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 11:00 am Post subject: |
|
|
make sure that your coolant system is bled properly.
Its probably a clogged radiator but make sure of the simple things first. _________________ 89 Bostig powered syncro westy |
|
Back to top |
|
|
keylock Samba Member
Joined: August 13, 2007 Posts: 1 Location: OREGON
|
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 11:02 am Post subject: |
|
|
Better check your thermostat too ! If it is stuck closed it wor't
allow coolant to flow to the radiator. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
deprivation Samba Member
Joined: September 14, 2006 Posts: 1220 Location: Austin, Texas
|
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 11:02 am Post subject: |
|
|
stlouisvan wrote: |
Now I need to find a radiator.... |
I got mine at Bus Depot - I don't remember the price but it was the best deal I found. The job itself isn't technically difficult but it's definitely no fun. The higher up you can raise the front, the easier it is to work underneath. I used a pair of pretty butch six-ton jackstands.
Have fun. _________________ 1986 Westy 2WD auto a.k.a. "The Old Girl"
www.kittenfart.com |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Terry Kay Banned
Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331
|
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 11:06 am Post subject: |
|
|
If your looking for a brand new radiator--check out E-Bay.
There's a guy selling BEHR radiator's for $159.00.
Real good radiator at a real good price. _________________ T.K. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Vanagon Nut Samba Member
Joined: February 08, 2008 Posts: 10347 Location: Sunshine Coast B.C.
|
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 11:47 am Post subject: |
|
|
stlouisvan wrote: |
.... Now I need to find a radiator.... |
Not as good a price as the one TK found, but I got mine from CIP up here in Canada. If you can't get one on eSchmay.....
http://www2.cip1.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=VWC%2D068%2D121%2D253%2DE
Mine was a Behr. Double check manufacturer if you buy from CIP.
The fins are delicate. Inspect fins when you pick it up.
Keep an eye on fins as you install rad. _________________ 1981 Westy DIY 15º ABA
1988 West DIY 50º ABA
VE7TBN |
|
Back to top |
|
|
stlouisvan Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2009 Posts: 24
|
Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 7:58 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks again for all the replies... I just bought a radiator through Bus Depot for $149.00. So, when it gets here I'll update if it fixed the problem... thanks again for all the input. You guys ROCK..... |
|
Back to top |
|
|
ftp2leta Samba Member
Joined: October 11, 2004 Posts: 3271 Location: Montreal
|
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 6:18 am Post subject: |
|
|
Quote: |
I have an 86 vanagon and keeps overheating. The water pump, thermostat and all fan fuses have been replaced. I've bled the system, even jacked the front end way up to bleed the radiator, and all seems fine for coolant levels. |
Welcome.
How did this happen? I mean suddenly? Slowly? after some engine work?
When you bled the rad and fully open and remove the bleed screw, you never felt hot coolant coming out of the bleed hole? Was it pouring out of the hole? If yes you have coolant circulation!
Rad was cold? everywhere? Heat start at the bottom and sometime stop in the center or/and cold spot can be felt.
The next time you post, try to give more detail.
Rad, not sure.
Ben _________________ Working with rust, grease, dirt and dust is a sad truth.
------------------------------------------------------
FI part for sale: http://www.benplace.com/parts_sale1.htm
My site: http://www.benplace.com/vw2.htm
Subi conversion: http://www.benplace.com/vanaru_eng.htm
Youtube http://www.youtube.com/user/ftp2leta |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Zero419 Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2008 Posts: 2160 Location: PA
|
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 6:27 am Post subject: |
|
|
I had a problem for years. I had all the same symptoms. replaced all the same stuff.
Ended up being the new T-sat.
The bypass disk was too large. I replaced it with the correct new one and solved years of overheating problems _________________ 1987 Westy Auto Bostig 2.0 Ztec |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Dogpilot Samba Member
Joined: October 03, 2005 Posts: 4205 Location: Flagstaff, AZ
|
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 9:16 am Post subject: |
|
|
So true, all thermostats are not equal. I recommend checking new ones in hot water to ensure they open fully. I have had a couple recently that didn't. _________________ Geology with a Syncro rocks!
86 Syncro Westy AKA "The Bughunter"
98 Disco I
08 Range Rover SC
08 VW Rabbit S
1951 O-1G |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Zero419 Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2008 Posts: 2160 Location: PA
|
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 9:27 am Post subject: |
|
|
Also, a new t-stat should fit in the housing without having to compress the top of the housing on during installation. _________________ 1987 Westy Auto Bostig 2.0 Ztec |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Terry Kay Banned
Joined: June 22, 2003 Posts: 13331
|
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:04 am Post subject: |
|
|
<<I ran the heaters and sure enough, the temp gauge never got hot. Drove it around the block to get it heated up and still never overheated. Got back home and felt the radiator.. still cold.>>
Gentlemen.
Predicating upon this information I would bet a left nut that it's the radiator.
A bad thermostat ( which was already replaced with a new one ) is a long shot at best.
I think he's making the right move replacing the original radiator to get the coolant temps down to normal. _________________ T.K. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Zero419 Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2008 Posts: 2160 Location: PA
|
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:39 am Post subject: |
|
|
I agree that the radiator should be replaced. If it does not fix the problem, its good preventive maintenance.
Like I said, I had all the same symptoms, including successfully using the heat to bring the temp down (for a year or two) followed the advice here, replaced my radiator, to no avail.
Fact:
The wrong size bypass disk on a T-stat will give you all these symptoms.
There are suppliers out there that will sell you the wrong T-stat. _________________ 1987 Westy Auto Bostig 2.0 Ztec |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Dogpilot Samba Member
Joined: October 03, 2005 Posts: 4205 Location: Flagstaff, AZ
|
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 11:47 am Post subject: |
|
|
Don't get any of us wrong, I assumed he was getting a new radiator from the posts above. It is a big duh on new radiator for most of the cooling issues on the Vanagon. They have about a 5-8 year lifespan before becoming a cement block. Folks over agonize about this too any times when it is the obvious answer. @ $169 it is a deal, but seems out of reach to many (the one for my Land Rover ticks in at $699 from the discount supplier). However, there are bad thermostats out there as well. I have personally been shipped two by suppliers I trust. In fact, it was not until I installed the third that my cooling woes settled down (with a new radiator already installed). It was kind of fun sitting in the kitchen with a big pot full of thermostats watching them all open up like clams in a steamer, unfortunately, all at different temps and different amounts (I would have preferred to be watching a big pot full of lobsters steaming, but thermostats was fun (god my life is pathetic!)). _________________ Geology with a Syncro rocks!
86 Syncro Westy AKA "The Bughunter"
98 Disco I
08 Range Rover SC
08 VW Rabbit S
1951 O-1G |
|
Back to top |
|
|
stlouisvan Samba Member
Joined: November 11, 2009 Posts: 24
|
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 12:13 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Again, Thanks for all your input. The radiator is the only thing that I can think of. Like I said, the radiator was still cool to almost cold after running the van around the block a few times. Now, I'm no master mechanic, but I'm not dumb either.. the radiator should be getting hot. Hence the radiator fan never kicking on and it overheating. Thermostat was replaced as was the water pump. At $149 for a new radiator, I'll take the chance of just replacing the darn thing anyway. Can't hurt, and go from there. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Zero419 Samba Member
Joined: January 11, 2008 Posts: 2160 Location: PA
|
Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 12:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
go for it.
don't want to sound like a broken record.
I had all the same symptoms.
Including a cold (new) radiator.
If you open up your T-stat housing (you won't lose much coolant at all) and you try to pull out your t-stat and its wedged in there and doesn't pull out easy, you have the wrong one. _________________ 1987 Westy Auto Bostig 2.0 Ztec |
|
Back to top |
|
|
|