| Author |
Message |
bluebus86
Banned
Joined: September 02, 2010
Posts: 11075
|
 Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2016 9:28 am Post subject: Re: Coolant Leak! ... Solved..... Bad FLAPS pressure cap. |
 |
|
i had a fualty pressure cap, leaked past the presure valve giving me an unpressurized system. fou d that out when it boiled over. bought a new cap, sealed nicely, presure built up, then bam, the plasti tank exploded. the only thing that had been keeping the tank intact was the lack of pressure.
so if you install a working pressure cap in plqce of a leaker, you mght find an explodeleaker.
the down side to the metal tank ismthe libby bong attachment i have wont fit on the neck of the tank as it does on the plastic tank.
vancafe told me the new plastic tank (reproduction tanks) have been know to fail in short order. not as high quality as original.
good luck with the plastic tank now seeing pressure.
_________________
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 |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50353
|
| Posted: Sat Mar 26, 2016 9:45 am Post subject: Re: Coolant Leak! ... Solved..... Bad FLAPS pressure cap. |
|
|
| I really hate to buy a RMW tank as I like being able to just glance at the tank to see that it is full, but having blown a cap off last summer when I was letting the engine run at a fast idle to pump the lifters up (it had been sitting for four months) and having the cap blow off while I was away from the van for a few minutes I don't want to run the risk of loosing an engine over the plastic cap and tank. Very shocking to come out and see most of your antifreeze on the ground and really glad the antifreeze getting all over the ignition had killed the engine. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32637
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32637
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
DwarfVader
Samba Member
Joined: July 28, 2015
Posts: 646
Location: Missoula, MT
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 1:30 pm Post subject: Re: Coolant Leak! ... Solved..... Bad FLAPS pressure cap. |
|
|
| djkeev wrote: |
Well,
I did solve my coolant leak by putting on a new Blau cap! 
But...... I sourced a RMW coolant tank at a decent price from a generous member here!
So, in keeping with that spirit, my plastic tank has been in service for less than a year, the new Blau cap? less than a mile.
Once I remove it I offer it To any good standing member here that NEEDS it.......
Pay Shipping,
PM me......
I'll put it in the Karma thread as well.......
Dave |
I KNEW you'd give in and get the metal tank after your cap blew... You couldn't resist it. After you mentioned it early in the thread, it was a foregone conclusion!
Nice btw! That will most definitely take some weight about cracking your coolant bottle off your mind. 
_________________
- oderint dum metuant -
I'll find my van someday, or it will find me. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bluebus86
Banned
Joined: September 02, 2010
Posts: 11075
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 9:22 pm Post subject: Re: Coolant Leak! ... Solved..... Bad FLAPS pressure cap. |
|
|
The one problem with the metal tank is the type of cap threads do not readily accept my libby bong. Next coolant change I will need to modify my bong attachment. oh well at least the tank wont blow again!
_________________
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 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50353
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 9:51 pm Post subject: Re: Coolant Leak! ... Now isn't THAT Special...... |
|
|
| djkeev wrote: |
Until better plans can be implemented I got a proper "Blau" coolant cap from Van-Cafe (and an oatmeal cookie!! Finally, back to good cookies ) . Threw away the crappy FLAPS cap that is leaking.
I probably should pull out my pressure tester and verify good before I run it though.....
Dave |
It was the Blau cap that blew for me. Maybe the fault was with the tank? IDK? Will be ordering a RMW tank soon. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Wildthings
Samba Member
Joined: March 13, 2005
Posts: 50353
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 13, 2016 10:30 pm Post subject: Re: Coolant Leak! ... Now isn't THAT Special...... |
|
|
| Are you saying that you know for certain that the tank wasn't the problem, that the problem was running a blue cap? Sorry you have once again proven only the extreme level of your stupidity. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32637
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
kalispell365
Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2010
Posts: 889
Location: PNW
|
| Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2016 9:56 am Post subject: Re: Coolant Leak! ... Solved..... Bad FLAPS pressure cap. |
|
|
NOW I know who beat me to the deal on that tank in the classifieds...lucky you Dave!
_________________
1983 Diesel Vanagon Westfalia chassis with Subaru 2.2l |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32637
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bluebus86
Banned
Joined: September 02, 2010
Posts: 11075
|
| Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2016 1:19 pm Post subject: Re: Coolant Leak! ... Solved..... Bad FLAPS pressure cap. |
|
|
| djkeev wrote: |
| kalispell365 wrote: |
| NOW I know who beat me to the deal on that tank in the classifieds...lucky you Dave! |
If it was in the classifieds, I was unaware.
This was done through PM's and emails.
New "Old" Stock
Dave |
the word I got from vancafe is with repro plastic tanks they have had failures infant mortality if you will. . seems they are not made as well as the original ones. They do sell them, but they warn you that they have had a good deal or failures with them. a NOS one would be a better way to go than a repro plastic one..
_________________
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 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bluebus86
Banned
Joined: September 02, 2010
Posts: 11075
|
| Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2016 1:22 pm Post subject: Re: Coolant Leak! ... Now isn't THAT Special...... |
|
|
| djkeev wrote: |
Until better plans can be implemented I got a proper "Blau" coolant cap from Van-Cafe (and an oatmeal cookie!! Finally, back to good cookies ) . Threw away the crappy FLAPS cap that is leaking.
I probably should pull out my pressure tester and verify good before I run it though.....
Dave |
Seems to me both caps pictured are blau! 
_________________
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 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16508
Location: Brookeville, MD
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
djkeev
Samba Moderator
Joined: September 30, 2007
Posts: 32637
Location: Reading Pennsylvania
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
bluebus86
Banned
Joined: September 02, 2010
Posts: 11075
|
| Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2016 8:30 am Post subject: Re: Coolant Leak! ... Solved..... Bad FLAPS pressure cap. |
|
|
| djkeev wrote: |
And thank you Dave!!!!
My luck must be changing, I've never won anything and here I got the RMW tank and my house purchase offer was accepted all in the same week!
Oh! Wait! I'm broke now!
Maybe I'm not so lucky.......
Dave |
you may be broke now. the thing is your van soon wont be broke. what is more important? good luck with your tank   
_________________
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 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
alaskadan
Samba Member
Joined: January 09, 2013
Posts: 1858
Location: anchor pt. alaska
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 7:46 am Post subject: Re: Coolant Leak! ... Solved..... Bad FLAPS pressure cap. |
|
|
| So it seems my pressure cap has shown its first sign of failing. Drove to the shop yesterday morning and my business partner noticed a coolant leak under the back of my van.? Popped the engine lid to find the expansion tank full and coolant coming out of the overflow tube. At first my mind raced and blown head gasket comes to mind! All spark plugs look good, not over heating, no bubbling pressure tank while running. Then I recall reading bad pressure cap threads, ok calm down.. So what's the latest on new pressure caps these days? Has any vendor come up with any better quality replacements? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Colorado Yeti
Samba Member
Joined: August 25, 2013
Posts: 356
Location: Ft. Collins, Colorado
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 10:11 am Post subject: Re: Coolant Leak! ... Solved..... Bad FLAPS pressure cap. |
|
|
I just bought a brand new cap from NAPA for around $12. They have 16 psi and 20 psi models available. I am going to the 16 psi route to be conservative and take it easy on my OEM plastic tank. I have had nothing but good luck from NAPA parts and it is a heck of lot less expensive than the tank from RMW (although I have nothing but respect for the quality of their parts as well). We'll see how it goes on the next long uphill climb in hot weather.
BTW - What the hell is "FLAPS"? |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dobryan
Samba Member
Joined: March 24, 2006
Posts: 16508
Location: Brookeville, MD
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 10:16 am Post subject: Re: Coolant Leak! ... Solved..... Bad FLAPS pressure cap. |
|
|
| Colorado Yeti wrote: |
I just bought a brand new cap from NAPA for around $12. They have 16 psi and 20 psi models available. I am going to the 16 psi route to be conservative and take it easy on my OEM plastic tank. I have had nothing but good luck from NAPA parts and it is a heck of lot less expensive than the tank from RMW (although I have nothing but respect for the quality of their parts as well). We'll see how it goes on the next long uphill climb in hot weather.
BTW - What the hell is "FLAPS"? |
Friendly
Local
Area
Parts
Store
_________________
Dave O
'87 Westy w/ 2002 Subaru EJ25 and Peloquin TBD
"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive." Robert Louis Stevenson
MD>Canada>AK>WA>OR>CA>AZ>UT>WY>SD
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=620646
Building a bus for travel in Europe (euroBus)
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=695371
The Western Syncro build
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=746794 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
kamzcab86
Samba Moderator
Joined: July 26, 2008
Posts: 7925
Location: Arizona
|
| Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2018 10:22 am Post subject: Re: Coolant Leak! ... Solved..... Bad FLAPS pressure cap. |
|
|
| Colorado Yeti wrote: |
| BTW - What the hell is "FLAPS"? |
Friendly Local Auto Parts Store (edit: beaten to it!)
I only ever had tank/level sensor problems; had enough of it and went RMW a couple months ago. Thus, I can't comment on cap quality.
_________________
~Kamz 
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 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
