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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 Samba Moderator
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 _________________ Help Prevent VW Engine Fires, see this link.....Engine safety wire information
Stop introducing dirt into your oil when adjusting valves ... https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=683022 |
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Paul_The_Fourth Samba Member
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 _________________ "Re-examine all that you have been told... dismiss that which insults your soul." -Whitman
"If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball.." -Patches O'Houlihan |
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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. _________________ I don't check these forums daily and often loose track of threads and comments. Please PM me a reminder if you're waiting on a reply. Thanks! |
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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 _________________ Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos
Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473
Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537
Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert |
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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 _________________ 1987 Syncro Westfalia Triple knob (bastard)
1989 Syncro Tristar Triple knob "Swedish"
2013 Jetta Hybrid a true "Zwitter"
Samba member # 14980
Call anytime number 650 722 4914 .
Keep Your van running and upkept tastefully for the love of the hobby.
Don't let your van end up in an "abortions" thread. |
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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 _________________ Binger
1984 Westy
1986 7 Pass R.I.P. Donor van
2019 Jetta
2014 Passat
2019 Atlas
2006 Passat R.I.P.
1998 Jetta R.I.P.
1984 Vanagon R.I.P. |
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Robw_z Samba Member
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 Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007 Posts: 32574 Location: Reading Pennsylvania
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UngaWunga Samba Member
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 Samba Member
Joined: February 04, 2014 Posts: 1488 Location: Wisconsin
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UngaWunga Samba Member
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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