I bought a cheap, unlit, 0-30psi, 1 1/2" gauge from Princess Auto for
$3.  This was for my Rabbit, but it would work for a Vanagon.

I drilled a hole into my expansion tank above the max. water level and
close enough to the tank cap to be able to fit a washer and a nut onto
the silicon caulked threads of a brass, barbed, fitting with a male
threaded end.  I ran a length of hose through the firewall and attached
the ends to the barbed fitting and to the gauge, using clamps.  No
coolant and only air in the line (the gauge is 'air only').

It shows 7psi when I climb the 1/2 mile long, 9% grade hills around here
and 5psi on the flats at 60mph.  The rad. fan comes on at 10psi and
turns off at 8psi, so we are not dealing with large pressures.

Easy to do, I'd do it again, and will, when I get my engine and install
it in the Vanagon.

-Dana-

Davidson wrote:
>
> I've been to the archives on the subject of installing an after market
> coolant pressure gauge. The advantage seems to be a quicker warning (quicker
> than the stock temp gauge) of various problems with the coolant system...
> including water pump, leaking hose(s), blockage, etc.
>
> There was a discussion on this topic last fall. The best post on the subject
> seems to come from Frank Grunthaner on October 22, 1999. He has actually
> installed such an animal. But I really don't like running a small tube full
> of coolant from the engine compartment to a gauge in the dash. Also his
> explanation of evacuating the cooling system, valves, etc. seems a bit
> beyond my grasp.
>
> So I am asking the list if there is a better explanation or a simpler
> solution. For example, is it possible to use an VDO oil pressure gauge and
> sender that just requires a wire to be run to the dash instead of a tube
> full of coolant. I really don't like working with the coolant since I am
> chemically sensitive and such odors give me migraine headaches that last for
> 3 days or so.
>
> Thanks
> Bill
> 90 Westy Syncro