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danclark
Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2014
Posts: 63
Location: Kentucky
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 Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2017 5:07 pm Post subject: Overhaul of cooling system |
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OVERHAUL OF COOLING SYSTEM
In an effort to drive my Westy for many years to come, I am overhauling each system. I am currently on the cooling system. So far I have:
1. Taken the radiator out and had it leak tested and cleaned;
2. Bought all new stainless steel pipes, hoses and spring clamps for, I believe, the entire system;
3. New gaskets for coolant pipes around the engine; and
4. Put on a stainless steel bleeder valve.
Are there any other essential maintenance or replacements to the cooling system I need to be looking at while I have all the coolant out of the system?
(I am purposefully waiting on inspecting and updating the heater cores, but perhaps it is a good idea to tackle them now?)
Thanks,
Dan
Stock 2.1 in an 87.5 Westy
Last edited by danclark on Sat Feb 25, 2017 6:09 pm; edited 2 times in total |
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djkeev
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Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32574
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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bluebus86
Banned
Joined: September 02, 2010
Posts: 11075
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| Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2017 5:17 pm Post subject: Re: Overhaul of cooling system |
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my thermostat housing cracked and leaked at around 170K miles, at around 200K miles my plastic pressure tank cracked. sometime prior to tank cracking, cap failed and no longer held pressure. if you want bullet proof, for a price there are aluminum replacements for the plastic thermostat house, coolant tower, and pressure tank. (1986 2.1 digifant)
good luck
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Paul_The_Fourth
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Joined: February 14, 2017
Posts: 1
Location: Long Beach, California
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| Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2017 5:33 pm Post subject: Re: Overhaul of cooling system |
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I replaced the front to back pipes with stainless and replaced most of the hoses during that time. Now i'm changing out a water pump tomorrow and decided to look at the elbow that connects to the right head and the metal pipes that run from the pump, to oil cooler to the thermostat. All are pretty corroded. My elbow pipes that run from pump to right head are the plastic type so im swapping in stainless steel. Its the pipe that runs under the main pulley. I only change stuff when its convenient, failed or on the verge. I guess that means i replace stuff all the time 
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danclark
Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2014
Posts: 63
Location: Kentucky
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| Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2017 6:11 pm Post subject: Re: Overhaul of cooling system |
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| djkeev wrote: |
What are you rolling?
Diesel?
1.9?
2.1?
Dave |
Fixed in OP. 87.5 Westy with an OG 2.1 |
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danclark
Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2014
Posts: 63
Location: Kentucky
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| Posted: Sat Feb 25, 2017 10:34 pm Post subject: Re: Overhaul of cooling system |
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| Do you guys think the pressurized aluminum coolant tanks are overkill? |
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Type17
Samba Member
Joined: April 24, 2012
Posts: 300
Location: Chicagoland
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| Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2017 2:48 am Post subject: Re: Overhaul of cooling system |
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| danclark wrote: |
| Do you guys think the pressurized aluminum coolant tanks are overkill? |
Yes, but the plastic ones can fail. That said, I still have the plastic tank on my van.
The plastic thermostat housings and the distribution "tree" on the firewall are also weak points, but seem to last many years if you got a good one. Basically, replace anything else plastic with stainless or aluminum if you can.
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djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32574
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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| Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2017 6:16 am Post subject: Re: Overhaul of cooling system |
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Plastic, plastic isn't your friend in a VW cooling system.
Pressure coolant tank, subject to cracks
Coolant level sensor, leaks around probes and likes to "pop" out of the tank, Oring can go bad too.
Pressure cap, Blau is the ONLY brand to use, accept no substitutes.
Suggest a RMW aluminum replacement tank, solves all of the above problems.
Coolant tower, vary by transmission. Behind firewall in front of right head.
Install a new one no matter what, but getting a stainless steel one is a wise choice.
Thermostat housing, get a new plastic one minimum, but a metal one is best.
Auto Trans? Get rid of the coolant based trans oil "cooler" (warmer?) I put in VanCafe's "solid State" unit but choose whatever cooler you are confortable using.
Rear heater core? They leak, often from the small oring that attaches to the on/off valve.
Front heater core? They can leak but I'd worry more about the crappy plastic control valve, install a quality Ford control valve instead.
The bleeder loop is metal.....Yay? But they rust, examine it closely.
The bypass pipe to the left head is metal, Yay? They rust too, bit stainless ones are available.
The bleeder fitting on the right head? OEM is plastic, put on a metal one.
The engine oil cooler, put on a new one along with the related hoses.
There! We just killed the better part of $1,000 !!!! 
Good luck!
Dave
Disclaimer, I did not replace everything I mention with metal, but wish I had.
I did install the RMW pressure tank and am extremely happy that I did so!
I put in a plastic thermostat housing and plastic cooling tower.
I eliminated my rear heater completely.
I installed the Ford Valve
I eliminated the trans oil cooler
I installed a new engine oil cooler
I am running OG plastic cooling pipes still. They are in great shape.
New radiator, all new hoses (including front to rear heater hoses) and quality ABA screw clamps.
Dave
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danclark
Samba Member
Joined: September 29, 2014
Posts: 63
Location: Kentucky
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| Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2017 8:05 am Post subject: Re: Overhaul of cooling system |
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| djkeev wrote: |
Plastic, plastic isn't your friend in a VW cooling system.
Pressure coolant tank, subject to cracks
Coolant level sensor, leaks around probes and likes to "pop" out of the tank, Oring can go bad too.
Pressure cap, Blau is the ONLY brand to use, accept no substitutes.
Suggest a RMW aluminum replacement tank, solves all of the above problems.
Coolant tower, vary by transmission. Behind firewall in front of right head.
Install a new one no matter what, but getting a stainless steel one is a wise choice.
Thermostat housing, get a new plastic one minimum, but a metal one is best.
Auto Trans? Get rid of the coolant based trans oil "cooler" (warmer?) I put in VanCafe's "solid State" unit but choose whatever cooler you are confortable using.
Rear heater core? They leak, often from the small oring that attaches to the on/off valve.
Front heater core? They can leak but I'd worry more about the crappy plastic control valve, install a quality Ford control valve instead.
The bleeder loop is metal.....Yay? But they rust, examine it closely.
The bypass pipe to the left head is metal, Yay? They rust too, bit stainless ones are available.
The bleeder fitting on the right head? OEM is plastic, put on a metal one.
The engine oil cooler, put on a new one along with the related hoses.
There! We just killed the better part of $1,000 !!!!
Good luck!
Dave
Disclaimer, I did not replace everything I mention with metal, but wish I had.
I did install the RMW pressure tank and am extremely happy that I did so!
I put in a plastic thermostat housing and plastic cooling tower.
I eliminated my rear heater completely.
I installed the Ford Valve
I eliminated the trans oil cooler
I installed a new engine oil cooler
I am running OG plastic cooling pipes still. They are in great shape.
New radiator, all new hoses (including front to rear heater hoses) and quality ABA screw clamps.
Dave |
Perfect. Thanks for the detailed reply, Dave, I certainly appreciate it. |
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16CVs 
Samba Member
Joined: February 22, 2004
Posts: 4024
Location: Redwood City, California
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| Posted: Sun Feb 26, 2017 11:50 am Post subject: Re: Overhaul of cooling system |
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Don't forget the plastic rear heater "Tees". If you remove the rear heater then remove these and replace with a Brass double barbed 5/8' Tee.
There are also 2 other plastic unions in the system which never get attention and they are in the front at the heater core and over the top of the transmission there is one as well.
I have never seen a front core go bad. I've seen them plugged up with dog hair and other crap, I think people just replace because they are there doing a blower motor and flap doors.
I would re use as many of the factory tension clamps as I could, they are way better then hose clamps, if you are going to use clamps, but the Quality ABA clamps as Mr Keev suggests as well.
Stacy
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Can1
Samba Member
Joined: December 24, 2016
Posts: 52
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Mon Feb 27, 2017 4:37 pm Post subject: Re: Overhaul of cooling system |
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Can you guys give me the part number for the Ford valve?
Thanks |
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binger59
Samba Member
Joined: December 09, 2007
Posts: 236
Location: Oswego, NY
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| Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2017 9:53 am Post subject: Re: Overhaul of cooling system |
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I have coolant stuff for sale that came out of my 86' that I'm parting out.
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/classifieds/detail.php?id=1965285
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Robw_z
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Joined: April 28, 2007
Posts: 983
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| Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2017 11:41 am Post subject: Re: Overhaul of cooling system |
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This is semi-tangent... but I can't help but say it...
I think the best thing to overhaul on the cooling system is the head gaskets/water jacket seals. I'd never have been motivated to do it unless they were leaking, I admit, but once they were done it felt so good.
So yeah, if they ain't leaking don't fix it... but if they are...
-Rob |
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djkeev
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Posts: 32574
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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UngaWunga
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Joined: May 18, 2016
Posts: 172
Location: NH
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| Posted: Sat Mar 25, 2017 8:54 pm Post subject: Re: Overhaul of cooling system |
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| Highjacking the thread... replacing the plastic coolant pipes with metal from BusDepot. What are the other two lines heading to the front? Are those for the heat controls? Also, RockAuto doesn't carry radiator hoses for these vans. Where's a good place to pick up both radiator hoses? Hoses in my van look to be original, and are quite soft. Looking to replace them before they become a problem. |
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Jeffrey Lee
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Location: Wisconsin
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UngaWunga
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Joined: May 18, 2016
Posts: 172
Location: NH
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| Posted: Sun Mar 26, 2017 7:23 am Post subject: Re: Overhaul of cooling system |
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Thanks. Any idea how many feet are needed to replace what's there? |
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