Philosophical aluminum vs plastic coolant tank discussion

[pjn_wyo]

[MarkWard]

A dollar saved over a million units is a million bucks. Probably the location of the stock WBX tank was not ideal. Its mounted to the heat shield directly over the catalytic convertor. So, it's likely using engine coolant to cool it. Add cheap manufacturing and it's no wonder the aftermarket plastic tanks don't last.

Moderator Dave I believe, made his own aluminum tank, but admits if he valued his time, the aftermarket bolt in aluminum tank is not a bad deal. It's likely unless they are buying them in bulk from Mexico or China, they are not making much on them. They likely needed something reliable for their own stuff and saw the need for others.

Any vehicle I have owned, prior to a trip, I check all the fluid levels. I also address any small problems before they become big problems. I also carry a jug of water. My experience is a well maintained vehicle, will not leave you stranded and if you are alert, gives you some notice for most immanent failures.
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[bobbyblack]

I admit, the only time I have ever been sidelined was from a coolant hose rupture. All stock, stuff in my coolant system. The leak was small, the blinkey coolant light caught my eye pretty quick, and in fact stopped when I took my foot off the gas. I ran 'open' for the rest of the ride home, and then replaced hoses.

The one time I had an issue with a plastic tank, I noticed it was looking aged, and had a spare handy. That was on inspection prior to a trip in 2016, and there has been no trouble with it since then. However, it is clearly time for thoroughly thinking through what the next 50K miles will be looking like, as the last 50K have been a total blast, and I want that to continue. I am able, and unafraid of spending some money on what makes the best long term sense, so, thank you all for contributing to this discussion.

Kind Regards,

-bobby
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'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch

[Wildthings]

[jlrftype7]

Every once in awhile I get to talk to people 'inside' the car manuf circle[ corporate] Plastic tanks have the ability to be molded to fit a given space that a Designer may not have really talked to another person or committee on that formally[ as in, I want it to go HERE, and someone else gets to design the coolant tank to fit that requirement. Add to that , the tank won't corrode, they don't care about Galvanic Metal reaction either and you probably are going to see them used for a long time to come in new vehicles.

What blows all of this up, and I've seen it first hand, is that the first parts maker of that tank sent great products to us with the then new vehicles. Then, later one, a different vendor starts making the tank after the vehicle is long out of warranty and suddenly we have issues that the original tanks never gave us like multiple cracks and leakage from those cracks. You then send in pictures of the failures, like repeat parts warranty on the same vehicle over and over within a year, and suddenly Corporate is questioning YOUR sanity, not theirs for sending junk to the Parts Depts.....

If Bobby, you think it's stressful for one tank- picture Electric Vehicles that have a coolant system just for the electric motors, and then one to create heat for you the driver and your passengers in the HVAC system, and finally one to work with keeping the HV battery at a spec temp if at all possible. Fun.... multiple connections, multiple radiators and two coolant tanks...

I installed the Van Cafe Aluminum tank and never looked back. Sensor works well enough that I don't miss having a sight glass or plastic translucent tank to keep an eye on the coolant level either.
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'68 Westy- my first VW and vehicle/Bus- long gone.- sold it to a traveling Swiss couple....
'67 Type 3 Fastback, my 2nd car- gone
'69 Semi-Auto Stick Shift Beetle-gone
2017 MINI Coopers, our current DDs
‘84 Tin Top - Hilga....Auto

[SCM]

[Wildthings]

[DanHoug]

oddly, still related to the thread topic.... Model T tech talk. thermosiphon cooling and the need to carry extra water!
https://www.enginelabs.com/engine-tech/engine/historic-engines-the-ford-model-t/
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-dan
60% of what you find on the internet is wrong, including this post.

'87 Westy & '89 Westy both 2.1 4spd

Past projects can be found at--
www.thefixitworkshop.com

[dhaavers]

^^^ Fun, quick read...I love learning stuff!

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

[vwwestyman]

Is waterless coolant what was being referred to as an "open" cooling system? It apparantly can't really boil (not til over 375 degrees anyway) so pressure never builds up.

One example: https://www.evanscoolant.com/how-it-works/benefits/no-water-pressure/

I looked at this with my TDI Conversion bus when I had some cooling issues.

I also made a thermosyphon to heat a big jug of water with a fire for showering while camping. It's pretty neat how it works.
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Dave Cook

President, Wild Westerner Club

1978 Champagne Edition Westy, repowered to '97 Jetta TDI
1973 Wild Westerner
My Thing

[MarkWard]

The problem with those coolants is the cooling system needs to be completely flushed of regular coolant and water. They have a special flush that you need to run first and that preps the cooling system for the waterless coolant.

The problem is, you can't carry 4 gallons for backup. Have a cooling system problem and you are a little stuck.

The vanagon cooling system should be more than adequate for most applications. We use a Redline product in our race cars called Water Wetter. You add it to the cooling system and it helps the coolant "stick" to the inner surfaces for better heat dissipation.
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[vwwestyman]

[bobbyblack]

Thanks all, for this discussion. It helped me a lot, and I appreciate it.

I now have installed The Tank, and it is a very nice addition to a few other changes now on my 'done that' list. More to come!!

Onward!

-bobby
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'87 Westy 'Flossie','86 Westy 'R1','86 tintop GL - Subi2.2 'J2','83.5 stock tintop L 'ZoomBus','74 Karmann Ghia, '63 Notch