coolant container - leak and replace

[koolmoe]

To my distress, Savannah started leaking coolant recently.
On closer inspection, it looks to be the container next to the container where I fill it (opening the hatch, just to the left). There appears to be a sensor coming from the top, wired to the engine or (more likely) up front.
Where that sensor sits is very wet - a pool of coolant outside the container.
Looks like the coolant is wicking-up the wire somehow then dripping down on the muffler.

Looks easy enough to replace. What's that container called and where do I get it?
Thanks!
KM
_________________
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Current: 1990 Westy GL (Savannah. Good to be back!)
from '95 til 2008: 1995 Pathfinder (frame rusted out, charitable parts donation)
from '91-'95: 1982 Westy Diesel (Smokey. Traded in for far too little!)
from '87-'91: 1980 VW Rabbit (my econoPorsche - passed on)

[koolmoe]

Ok, that seemed somewhat easy.
At GW's site, this looks to be correct:
http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=3598&category_id=79
However, I don't think mine has a cap on top - just the sensor which I think fits in the visible hole at the top (where the coolant is leaking). I wonder if it's just the sensor seal that's bad instead of the tank itself...

This one:
http://www.gowesty.com/ec_view_details.php?id=3601&category_id=79
is the one where I fill the coolant behind the license plate, right?

Van Cafe's looks similar:
http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/page_276_908/rese...ompar.html
but without the cap on top. A good bit cheaper too.

Any insights? An even cheaper place to get one? I can't imagine the dealership would be any cheaper, but maybe faster? I need to find a parts yard...
KM
_________________
--
Current: 1990 Westy GL (Savannah. Good to be back!)
from '95 til 2008: 1995 Pathfinder (frame rusted out, charitable parts donation)
from '91-'95: 1982 Westy Diesel (Smokey. Traded in for far too little!)
from '87-'91: 1980 VW Rabbit (my econoPorsche - passed on)

[levi]

Probably don't need a new tank, but one of these.

http://www.van-cafe.com/home/van/smartlist_674/level_sensor.html

that plastic gets old and brittle, and can literally fall apart after 20 years.
_________________
One of these days I'm gonna settle down,
but till I do I won't be hangin round.
Going down that long lonesome highway,
gonna see life my way

https://youtu.be/cSrL0BXsO40

[koolmoe]

An excellent insight and reply. Thanks!
Of course, I have a 1990. For that part, it depends on my chassis #.
Where do I find the chassis #?
KM
_________________
--
Current: 1990 Westy GL (Savannah. Good to be back!)
from '95 til 2008: 1995 Pathfinder (frame rusted out, charitable parts donation)
from '91-'95: 1982 Westy Diesel (Smokey. Traded in for far too little!)
from '87-'91: 1980 VW Rabbit (my econoPorsche - passed on)

[sbclayton]

Ken Wilford at Van-Again www.vanagain.com is right down the road from you, in New Jersey. He carries both styles of the level sensor (the plug-in changed in 1990 - Ken can advise you on which one to get).

AND I ordered an expansion tank from him on Friday, 11/21, and it just walked in the door today. Can't beat that for a quick ship!
_________________
Steve - Tampa Bay Area
Original Owner (12/1990) of
NavDog, a 91 Carat

Enlightenment came when I realized that any time in my life I was having fun, it was somehow connected with owning a Volkswagen.

[koolmoe]

Well, I guess 2.5 hours is a lot more 'down the road' than any of the other VW suppliers! If I could get my Westy to float across the Delaware Bay, it'd be even less time...

But definitely appreciate the pointer. VC's, GW's, and VA's prices are all roughly the same so will likely order from VanAgain - like supporting those smaller folks. Still don't know which I need though. The tag on the side of my Bus actually shows a manufacture date of 11/89, so I imagine it's an earlier model - which is the cheaper sensor.

I'll try to find the chassis number per VC's recommendation and also shoot an email to Ken.
Thanks!
KM
_________________
--
Current: 1990 Westy GL (Savannah. Good to be back!)
from '95 til 2008: 1995 Pathfinder (frame rusted out, charitable parts donation)
from '91-'95: 1982 Westy Diesel (Smokey. Traded in for far too little!)
from '87-'91: 1980 VW Rabbit (my econoPorsche - passed on)

[OilNBolts]

Tanks do crack. Inspect carefully for a crack extending radially from the sensor thread.
_________________
Current fleet: Vanagons, two '88 GLs and an 89 Bluestar. Beetles, '63, '64, '72 convertible. Plus, four Subarus and three Prius. Too many cars.

[koolmoe]

Good point. I should check both. I should disconnect and pull the tank and inspect it closely before ordering new parts. Problem is the Bus is my daily driver, so I'd have to pull it then reconnect it so I can still drive while the parts ship. Argh. Maybe this weekend...
Thanks!

VC emailed back and said the chassis number is part of the VIN, so that helps a lot, as well as a description of what's different between the two sensors. I've not heard back from Ken at VA, disappointingly. So once I figure out which sensor to order, I'll likely order from Van Cafe since they responded quickly and helpfully.
KM
_________________
--
Current: 1990 Westy GL (Savannah. Good to be back!)
from '95 til 2008: 1995 Pathfinder (frame rusted out, charitable parts donation)
from '91-'95: 1982 Westy Diesel (Smokey. Traded in for far too little!)
from '87-'91: 1980 VW Rabbit (my econoPorsche - passed on)

[koolmoe]

I ordered both parts from Van Again after a helpful reply from Ken.
I looked over the tank closely Sunday and noticed, as I should have expected, that it's full of coolant! To the very top of the container...

SO what's the best way to drain it? Any tricks?

I'm thinking of pulling the hose from the lower part of the tank where it connects to the 'T', then leading that to a bucket underneath...
Or is there a better way?
Thanks!
KM
_________________
--
Current: 1990 Westy GL (Savannah. Good to be back!)
from '95 til 2008: 1995 Pathfinder (frame rusted out, charitable parts donation)
from '91-'95: 1982 Westy Diesel (Smokey. Traded in for far too little!)
from '87-'91: 1980 VW Rabbit (my econoPorsche - passed on)

[climberjohn]

Yep, you got it. Pull the overflow hose and be ready with a bucket or tub.
Try a turkey baster for the last little bit.
_________________
'86 Westy, 2.5 Subaru power
Know your limits. Exceed them often.

[vanagonforever]

Time to break out the Bentely and read about your cooling system. I still have not completely drained my system so I am not the best one here to advise you but start reading BEFORE you start messing with the thing. Here are a few bits that most people don't mention but make life a lot easier.

1. The tank you are talking about is the expansion tank. It has a coolant sensor that connects to the red blinky light on the temperature gauge in the dash. It also has an expansion cap that is blue and connects the overfill tank (place where you put antifreeze) to the expansion tank. This cap can also fail so you might as well replace it while you are replacing the other stuff.

2. The entire system is pressurized and will spew animal/child poisoning coolant all over the place. You will want to release that pressure before you go screwing with it. Do this by slowly opening the expansion cap. Just turn it a quarter of a turn until the air is out and continue until the cap is off.

3. There is a lot of coolant in that system. I think the actual number is around 8 gallons but I could be wrong. You will need to stop all of that coolant from dumping into the street so be ready for that. I don't know that you actually have to get it all out just to replace the expansion tank but I do know that you will have at least a gallon of coolant to deal with. I've read reports of using a shop vac to drain the system. I bet if you search for shop vac and coolant you'd find the info.

4. You will have to safely dispose of that coolant - don't dump it down the drain. It helps to figure out ahead of time what your plan is for that coolant. If it is clean then maybe you can just put it back in when you are done? If you are in a city then they may offer residential antifreeze recycling.

5. When you refill the coolant you have to bleed the system. This sounds really hard when you read the Bentely. You want to build a "Libby Bong" and it makes the job a lot easier. Just use the search and you will find instructions on building and using a Libby Bong. It is a lot easier than using the Bentley method.

I'm sure there is more that I am not mentioning but that should help get you started.
_________________
1986 2WD 2.1L WBX Vanagon Weekender
1983.5 1.9L WBX Vanagon Westfalia

[markz2004]

I've found these two images helpful when trying to get a handle of the cooling system. I believe they are from Ben's website.

_________________
87 Westy, 250k GW 2.4 - 2.0 , 16" wheels

[RubesMatubes]

I just replaced my expansion tank and sensor last night and it was quite a bit easier than i expected. Steps i used:
- release pressure from main cap.
- disconnect upper hose and let tank drain halfway into bowl.
- place bucket under van to catch coolant. I used a paper towel cardboard cylinder roll wedged from the bucket vertically throguh the exhaust pipes. This makes it easier to keep things clean when disconnecting bottom hose. Plug tank hole with finger while draining leftover lower hose coolant down through the paper towel roll into bucket. After that just keep plugging the lower hole in the tank and twist it out. Simple really. Oh yeah this will only work if you remember to unscrew tank from mount!! That's all.
- put new sensor in new tank and remount it. Connect hoses and refill. Connect sensor wire. You are done and barely even took enough time to have 1/2 a beer.
- sit back and look at the shiny new addition to your greasy ugly engine.
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1988 Vanagon Hardtop Wolfsburg ed.- Rubes MaTubes!!!!!!!