At a total capacity of 4.6 gallons, if your mechanic uses one gallon that
would be 22% coolant...

The owner's manual for my 90 Westy Syncro says, "The coolant additive
proportion must be at least 40% but not more than 60%."

The purpose of coolant is not just to keep the liquid in the cooling system
from freezing... it also contains anti-corrosive elements that help to keep
your head gaskets and other things from going bad... and it lowers the
boiling point... especially important in hot climates...

The 50% coolant thing is pretty basic stuff that all mechanics familiar with
the Vanagon would know like the back of their hands.... beware the guy they
wants to use only 22%... what else might he screw up at your expense?????

Good Luck,
Bill
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mick Kalber" <hotlava@INTERPAC.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Tuesday, September 05, 2000 4:02 PM
Subject: 89 Syncro Westy WBX Coolant/Gear Oil Questions

> Just about to change coolant in my 89 syncro westy as well... my (very)
> trusted mechanic says he usually puts in one gallon of non-phosphate
coolant
> and adds water to fill, which I guess would be a little more water than
> coolant in the end.  Since we live in a very moderate climate... 55
degrees
> to 95 degrees year round, what does the list think about that?  Should I
> insist on a 50/50 mix anyway?
>
> Also changing the gear oil since the bus is an 89 and I don't know the
> history... my guess is that it's never been changed.  They normally use
> Valvoline 80-90 wt Hypoid gear oil.  APE Service says it is rated for GL-4
> and GL-5 use.  I've been following the threads about this and have pretty
> much decided that GL-4 is the only way to go, but what about this?  It is
a
> hypoid, which is the correct one, right?  Don't know if it is a synthetic.
>
> Thoughts?
>
> Mick Kalber
> 89 Syncro Westy "Daddy-O"
> Tropical Visions Video, Inc.
> 62 Halaulani Place    Hilo, Hawaii  96720
> ph. 808-935-5557    fax 808-935-0066
> hotlava@interpac.net
> www.volcanoscapes.com
>