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chilango13
Samba Member
Joined: September 12, 2003
Posts: 56
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 Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 1:40 pm Post subject: overheating wesfalia |
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I changed the waterpump on my 85' westfalia. I thought it would solve the overheating problem. When I removed the water pump I notice a lot of rust, so I thougth that with the new water pump, I would have a cooler engine.
However, when I strated the car and drove it for about ten miles, it started overheating. I turn on the AC to get the radiator fan going, and that seemed to help.
I want to know how to fill the cooling system with coolant fluid correctly. There seems to be a vacum or air in the system.
Does anyone know how to completely fill the entire system. I even tried putting coolant through the radiator. I noticed some pipes have air in them. Is it normal for water rubber pipes to have some air in them.
Thanks for the advice. |
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TeamSpatula
Samba In The Rain
Joined: February 03, 2004
Posts: 5212
Location: WNC
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| Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 1:49 pm Post subject: |
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There should not be air in the cooling system. Check the Bentley for procedures for bleeding the coolant system. From what I've heard, the earlier ones like yours are harder to bleed than the 2.1s, which are an easy bleed from the front. I'm not sure of the details, though. You also may want to flush out all the old coolant if there was rust & crud in the system from the old pump. That will definitely help. When I had a huge leak & air bubbles in mine it got very hot very quickly.
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earthmuffin
Samba Worm Farmer
Joined: September 24, 2003
Posts: 1542
Location: In the shower..........peeing!
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| Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 3:21 pm Post subject: |
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I got this from www.vanagonparts.com
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Refilling Cooling System - Gasoline (Water-cooled)
*For reference only, your vehicle may be different.
1. Set heater controls to maximum heating position.
2. Open control valve for auxiliary heater under rear seat.
3. Remove radiator grille.
4. Raise vehicle approx. 15 3/4" (40cm) at front under the cross-member with floor jack and wooden support.
5. Open bleeder valve on radiator.
6. Open bleeder valve in engine compartment.
7. Fill cooling system via expansion tank until tank is filled to the brim and remains full.
8. Run engine @2000 rpm, top up tank until coolant flows at radiator breather valve with NO air bubbles.
9. Add coolant until tank is full and close tank with cap.
10. Turn off ignition & restart engine after about 20 seconds.
11. At about 2000 rpm oen cap of expansion tank.
12. Close radiator bleeder valve when coolant flows out.
13. Add coolant until tank is full and close tank with cap.
14. Close bleeder valve in engine compartment.
15. Turn off engine.
16. Check coolant level in expansion tank and top up.
17. Close expansion tank with cap.
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You have to get all the air out PERIOD.
If you bleed it and you are certain that it is all out, then you have to look at other stuff.
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Alan Brase
Samba Member
Joined: March 28, 2004
Posts: 4532
Location: Cedar Falls, Iowa
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| Posted: Mon Sep 13, 2004 10:45 pm Post subject: |
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Unless I have the radiator hose loose or the front bleed valve open, I NEVER go thru all that German BS about bleeding. The system will self bleed over several hot- cold cycles if there are no leaks. Open up the bleed valve on the thermostat housing- counterclockwise tillit stops. Of course, you need to fill the system fom the pressure (expansion tank), first before starting, and then, while running at about 2000 rpm. Then-keep up the rpm-(If you slow down, the water backs up and runs on the ground)with your 3rd hand, put the pressure cap on tight!
I like to run it for a few minutes to let the bubbles at the thermostat get forced over to the expansion tank. then shut it off, hook up the second (burp) tank and close the thermostat bleed valve.
I use this method on all 5 of mine and others too. So it works for me.Raise up the front, take out the grille? Not me. Even after I had the engine out on my 91.
Al
69 doublecab, vanagons |
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weinerwagen
Samba Member
Joined: May 10, 2004
Posts: 1548
Location: Monterey, CA -Laguna Seca--Coats, Kansas
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| Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2004 5:15 am Post subject: |
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 I run a 230,000 mile 1.9 GL from Central Cal to Phx, AZ twice a month. In the 110 degree Arizona heat the other day, at 70mph, probably with the original radiator, the 1.9 let me know that the Germans were still in charge...
It burped at a fuel stop. Anti freeze blew out all over the fuel pad.
I let it cool down a bit, poured 2 gallons of 100% anti freeze in the back, ran it a bit, closed the system up, and headed east bound.
Bleeding? What is that! As long as the radiator is not dry, I've found it a moot point to try and follow the procedure to burp out all the air...
just fill and run... 
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chilango13
Samba Member
Joined: September 12, 2003
Posts: 56
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| Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2004 11:15 am Post subject: |
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| thanks for all the advice and technical print! |
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chilango13
Samba Member
Joined: September 12, 2003
Posts: 56
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| Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2004 10:58 am Post subject: |
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I'm getting really pissed off because my westfalia still overheating. I'm still unable to bleed the fuckin' air out of the system even though I tried everything the Bently said and all the technical advice I have recieved.
O well. I'll just put it (westfalia) away and drive something else until I figure out a way to fix this problem. |
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TeamSpatula
Samba In The Rain
Joined: February 03, 2004
Posts: 5212
Location: WNC
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| Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2004 11:06 am Post subject: |
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Is all the air out and it's still overheating, or is it just not bleeding successfully? 2 different problems...if the air isn't bleeding out, there may be a small leak somewhere that is sucking air into the system - I've heard of that happening...I know how frustrating these beasts can be...
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keifernet
Samba Search & Rescue
Joined: May 11, 2002
Posts: 19395
Location: Samba Center for Behavioral Science
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| Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2004 11:06 am Post subject: |
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| chilango13 wrote: |
I'm getting really pissed off because my westfalia still overheating. I'm still unable to bleed the fuckin' air out of the system even though I tried everything the Bently said and all the technical advice I have recieved.
O well. I'll just put it (westfalia) away and drive something else until I figure out a way to fix this problem. |
You may have a more serious issue and the engine could be "pumping" air into the system from a crack or a blown head gasket etc...? |
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weinerwagen
Samba Member
Joined: May 10, 2004
Posts: 1548
Location: Monterey, CA -Laguna Seca--Coats, Kansas
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| Posted: Fri Sep 17, 2004 12:44 pm Post subject: |
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Wait til its STONE COLD, fire it up, if you see bubbles in the res tank, you have a blown head gasket.
My guess is a cracked head 
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