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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32561
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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 Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2021 1:18 pm Post subject: Coolant leak... |
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I've been fighting leaks on my 2.1 90 tintop, no not water into the Van but of ATF and Coolant dripping from the bottom.
The other day I crawled all over under the Van tightening every hose clamp I saw.
That cured a very visible leak on the coolant distribution tower.
I dropped tge Auto Trans pan and resealed it.
Sadly it still leaks ATF from the pan ...... Grrrrrr!
And
It still leaks coolant!
OK,
I dug out my Stant cooling pressure tester pump and pumped the cold system up to 20 psi.
I then watched the gauge rapidly fall........ no worries a leak THAT BIG will be easy to find ........ and it was.
Both hoses from the radiator to the coolant pipes (new BusDepot stainless) were aggressive dripping.
Tightened them up and pressurized again.
A much slower needle drop but none the less it was dropping!
The center pipe hoses were gently seeping.
Tightened them and pumped again to 20 psi.
A very very very slow needle drop.
Another trip underneath with a flashlight rechecking every joint.
All dry ...........
But why is there a drip at the rubber Tee to feed the Auto Trans cooler?
There is no way that should be wet!
I dried it off and ran my finger nail in the rubber joint........ coolant bubbled out!
No way?!?
You have to know......... back when VW left Air Cooled and started pumping water they used these strange hoses in the Rabbits and Jettas.
I NEVER trusted them, never liked the idea of a Tee in mid span of a rubber hose!
On my 86 I eliminated that trans cooler and the rubber Tees.
This go around I kept the cooler.......
still not liking the rubber Tee idea I rerouted the cooler return into the heater return with a 5/8” Tee.
I ordered a Tee for the radiator hose feed..... metal...... 5/8” off the side, I even had it installed and then thought.....
“This is stupid! I just added three more connections when the correct hose should work just fine!
I thought that it has been decades of time and uncounted millions of miles on these mid span Tees..... they must work...... right?
Bus Depot had the hose in stock so I ran over and got it.
I just felt oddly better about it...... but I kept the metal Tee....... you know, deep seated prejudices can at times run deep..... I thought...... maybe, just maybe I should hang onto this and put it in my travel parts.
I guess I should have followed my original gut guided plan and used the metal Tee!
Heavy sigh..........
Dave
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jlrftype7
Samba Member
Joined: July 24, 2018
Posts: 3574
Location: Chicago
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| Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2021 1:37 pm Post subject: Re: Coolant leak....... |
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I see those 'rubber tee' molded hoses from time to time as well. Car Makers haven't given up on them sadly.... 
Sorry to hear you had to chase leaks for that long.
I've gotten lucky I guess with our '84, coolant level just stays and stays.
Last year we didn't use a drop of coolant down to Texas and back to home.
Granted, the trans went out in Missouri..... but that coolant level was all good.... 
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'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto |
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kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 7915
Location: Arizona
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| Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2021 2:07 pm Post subject: Re: Coolant leak... |
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| djkeev wrote: |
| You have to know......... back when VW left Air Cooled and started pumping water they used these strange hoses in the Rabbits and Jettas. |
The rubber T-hose in my '86 Cabriolet is factory-original and still going.
Of course, now that I've said that publicly, the next time I drive it...  
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1986 Cabriolet: www.Cabby-Info.com
 1990 Vanagon Westfalia: Old Blue's Blog
2016 Golf GTI S
"Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance." - 孔子 |
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32561
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Steve M.
Samba Member
Joined: July 30, 2013
Posts: 6814
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Fl.
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| Posted: Fri Sep 10, 2021 5:25 am Post subject: Re: Coolant leak... |
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Put a raw egg into the coolant tank and drive it. When you see feathers coming out the exhaust it's done.
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32561
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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Abscate
Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014
Posts: 22631
Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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| Posted: Sat Sep 11, 2021 11:48 am Post subject: Re: Coolant leak... |
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| Steve M. wrote: |
| Put a raw egg into the coolant tank and drive it. When you see feathers coming out the exhaust it's done. |
I think Dave seeks a more TURnKEY solution , being he is In Pen.
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
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Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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