Coolant Assist Pump?

[aquaboxa]

Anyone familiar with an in-line cooling system assist pump? I have heard of a pump being installed mid way between the engine and radiator, and it seems like a great idea...

[Alan Brase]

Uhhhh..... why? That system is way over spec'd. It will cool a 250hp 3.3 Subie just fine.
Al
_________________
Al Brase
Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
Dec 1955 Single Cab pickup WANT 15" BUS RIMS dated 8/55, thru 12/55
To New owners: 1969 doublecab, 1971 Dormobile
Vanagons:
80 P27 Westy JUL 1979, 3rd oldest known US
83 1.6TD Vanagon, 87 Wolfie Westy daily driver, swap meet home

[aquaboxa]

Due to the many miles of cooling lines.

This situation also involved an overheat at idle condition, so I was told.

[RGS Paul]

New radiator time, not booster pump.

Paul
_________________
'87 Syncro 7-Pass. Adventure Touring Vehicle
"Simplicate, then add lightness." Colin Chapman

[syncrodoka]

yup, overheating at idle warrants a inspection of the cooling system not a bandaid fix.

[Alan Brase]

Overheating at idle is not very likely the radiator. Cooling needs at idle are only a fraction of what they are at cruising speeds. How soon does it overheat? If a long time, I'd bet on the radiator fan/ resistor / switch.
I'd also suspect the operation of the pressure cap. It should pretty much SELF BLEED THE AIR OUT. But ONLY if the cap and overflow hose are working correctly.
Of the 6 water cooled Vanagons I have owned, only one has had the radiator replaced and that only because the radiator and a 200lb deer tried to occupy the same space. And I can detect NO difference in cooling. Don't get me wrong, new is nice, but is it worth it? No evidence to me that it is.
I have flushed both the radiator and heater core with water and detergent on one vehicle. It made the heater work a lot better!
Al
_________________
Al Brase
Projects: 67 sunroof bug, 67 Porsche 912 Targa, 70 Westy
Dec 1955 Single Cab pickup WANT 15" BUS RIMS dated 8/55, thru 12/55
To New owners: 1969 doublecab, 1971 Dormobile
Vanagons:
80 P27 Westy JUL 1979, 3rd oldest known US
83 1.6TD Vanagon, 87 Wolfie Westy daily driver, swap meet home

[syncrodoka]

I transplanted a motor and tranny from my '91 to my '90 vanagon after a toyota decided to test my sheetmetal strength. The motor ran fine in the donor but would run hot in the new van. The only cooling part that had to be changed to make it run cool again was the radiator. The previous motor had blown a headgasket and polluted the radiator. A cooling system has many parts that could be a problem including thermostat, radiator, radiator fan switch, a failing hose etc. A cooling system problem should be diagnosed not masked by adding another part

[Terry Kay]

Ths is the second time I've heard this one.

About 4-5 years ago a guy up in Milwaukee wanted some coolant pipes, and told me he was having some cooling issue's in traffic.

The mechanic that he was working with suggested an auxillary pump in the radiator feed line.

I told him he needed a raditor, and I never heard from him again--not knowing what the outcome was, or what kind of supplimentary pump that was installed.

That was the first time I had ever heard of this off the wall cooling accessory, this is the second.

The water pump is a long long way from the radiator.
And the engine water pump, for the job it does isn't all that big or toss big volume.

But, I agree that this idea of an auxillary pump in a cooling line is just masking the real cooling system failure--or poor performance.

I'd pop for a radiator if you have no idea of how the system was maintained in the vans life.

It's the Usual Suspect & the usual cure.
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T.K.

[Bruce Wayne]

new radiator. easy to install and it will more than likely cost less than adding another pump into the system.

[aquaboxa]

Thanks for the input everyone.
_________________
'89 Vanagon Bluestar
a.k.a. "The Bermuda Rectangle"