[Fixed!] Radiator Leak outside Twin Falls, ID

[ohhorob]

I've loaned my van to my Uncle & Aunt that are on a 2 month road trip (starting with Eclipse chasing in Wyoming).

This evening they had the temp light come on, and pulled over. Found small leak in the radiator.. looks like a stone hit it?

Trying to get them to a radiator repair place tomorrow.

Any advice on vanagon radiator repair or replacement in/around Twin Falls, ID?

It looks like enough coolant was lost that the temp led is flashing for low coolant level. If they fill it up at the pressure tank would that work, or is it likely to need a flush now?
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"Gundy" - '85 Westfalia
GoWesty 2300cc, Digijet

[dhaavers]

Does not need a "flush"... Repair/replace rad, replace lost coolant, bleed & drive.

Or...crack open the pressure cap & run with no pressure if necessary.

- Dave
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86 White Wolfsburg Westy Weekender
"The WonderVan"
<EDITED TO PROTECT INNOCENT PIXELS>

[danfromsyr]

to get down the road you just need to stop the flow/loss from the damaged tube. remove the fins for about 1-2in on both sides of the damage. and with long nose pliers and possibly some sealant goop, fold the tubes flat and then back over themselves.
do the radiator cap (coolant bottle cap) trick to alleviate internal pressure from heat expansion.

http://www.surfacezero.com/g503/showfull.php?photo=196616
Tubular type core repair

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[Wildthings]

A small leak can be sealed with radiator sealing product. Maybe hit the local Subaru dealer up for some Subaru Cooling Conditioner.

https://www.amazon.com/Subaru-SOA635071-Coolant-System-Conditioner/dp/B00IGZP2UE

[IdahoDoug]

Yeah, I'll second for the Subaru product. If they were here in Coeur d'alene ID, I'd grab mine off the shelf. I always carry it on road trips.

Doug
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1987 2WD Wolfsburg Vanagon Weekender "Mango", two fully locked 80 Series LandCruisers. 2017 Subaru Outback boxer. 1990 Audi 90 Quattro 20V with rear locking differential, 1990 burgundy parts Vanagon. 1984 Porsche 944, 1988 Toyota Supra 5 speed targa, 2002 BMW 325iX, 1982 Toyota Sunrader

[vwjetboat]

gently pinch off.. and ad bars leak..

[danfromsyr]

I'm not a fan of coolant/radiator stop leak additives
this radiator is already damaged and needs to be replaced.
pinch off the tube and get it to repair..
or like my uncle, pinch off the tube and drive it for 5 more years.. it doesn't 'need' all of the cores right?

if done with some aptitude it'll run for the rest of their travels with the pinched off tube.. but always a worry.

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[Jeffrey Lee]

In my early years of learning to wrench (as opposed to my latter years of learning, now over a quarter century later), one of my mentors told me that he once had a Triumph Spitfire with a leaking radiator. He let it cool, and added a couple tablespoons of ground black pepper to the radiator, then idled the engine again. As he watched, the stream of leaking coolant became a trickle, then stopped entirely.

I asked how long that would hold?

“Mmm-mmm,” he shrugged, “that was ten years ago, and my ex-girlfriend is still driving it …”
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Camp Westfalia
Camping Tips • Newsletter • Cool Campervan Apparel
www.CampWestfalia.com

[vwjetboat]

[vwjetboat]

and actually ya dont cut them out.. you pull them out at each end of the header and then solder the hole up.. fixed 100%

[mikemtnbike]

Many years ago, I "fixed" a leaking radiator on a Chevy g20 by jamming a bar of ivory soap against the leak. It actually did get me the 30 or so miles i had to go still. Was suggested by somebody who pulled over to assist, I was pretty surprised it worked
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1991 Vanagon GL 2.1 AT Westfauxlia. "Frankie" Totaled https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=764510&highlight=carnage
1995 Eurovan Camper "Marzivan"
2020 GTI SE manual

[ohhorob]

Thanks for all the input

We've been put in touch with some local Vanagon owners and they have a used replacement available.

They're catching up soon to crush-repair the leaky one and drive somewhere to do the swap and bleed the air out.
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"Gundy" - '85 Westfalia
GoWesty 2300cc, Digijet

[vwjetboat]

[Wildthings]

Take an old cap, drill through the bottom so that it will not hold pressure and then toss it into the glove box. This may be all or most of what you need to get home when you have a coolant leak.

[ohhorob]

Thanks to friendly and incredibly generous locals, they're back on the road

Quite the helpful community around these rolling rubik's cubes, both here and in real life!
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"Gundy" - '85 Westfalia
GoWesty 2300cc, Digijet

[tjet]