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Subject:Re: '87 Coolant Woes
From:kenneth d lewis
Date:Thu, 24 Feb 2000 19:16:51 EST

Jay;
        This problem drove me crazy on our 85. It turned out to be a
clogged radiator. When coolant turns to steam it acts like an internal
head gasket leak and blows coolant into the overflow. Take it to you
friendly local mechanic with an exhaust analyzer and have him "sniff" the
overflow tank with his wand for hydrocarbons. The test was done for free
for me.

Drive Safely & Good Luck
Ken Lewis    <Kernersville,NC>
86 VW crewcab;60 356B Coupe
--------------------------------------------------

On Thu, 24 Feb 2000 13:37:34 -0500 Jay L Snyder
<Jay.L.Snyder@USA.DUPONT.COM> writes:
>I have a friend who has an '87 Weekender that has a coolant problem.
>He is
>currently seeing dramatic level changes in his overflow tank.  Coolant
>filling back into the tank (other than normal hot/cold
>expansion/contraction) to me indicates a leaking head gasket where
>some
>combustion gasses are forcing into the coolant system and displacing
>the
>antifreeze.  This would eventually overpressure the expansion tank and
>push
>coolant into the overflow tank.  Does this sound correct?  Are there
>any
>other possible explanations?  He has already put in a new radiator and
>the
>pressure cap was replaced.  I think he has observed some over-heating
>on
>longer trips and when he stops and checks the level, it is overfull.
>
>                                                             Jay

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