If it's the thermostat sticking closed [I assume] wouldn't the temp gauge go
way high?  Don't think it does on the Bomb's bomb.

Mike

On 11/17/03 7:25 PM, "John Rodgers" <jh_rodgers@BELLSOUTH.NET> wrote:

> Had this problem. Turned out to be a faulty thermostat!
>
> Regards,
>
> John Rodgers
> 88 GL Driver
>
> Tanja Bomb wrote:
>
>>>> Da bomb is traveling and her van is puking water out of the overflow.
>>>> Mechanic found radiator cap bad and replaced and it's still doing it.
>>>>
>>>> Any ideas beyond head gasket leak into the water system?
>>>>
>>>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>> Under what conditions is it doing it? After climbing a steep grade,
>>> after a run on the interstate, around town, all the time, immediately? Can
>>> the problem be alleviated by running both heaters?
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>> I took a drive from Los Angeles to San Francisco, via I-5.  Steepest part of
>> the drive is over the Grapevine with an ascent to 4,000 feet.  No problems.
>> I was driving for about 3 hours when I pulled over and the temp light
>> blinked at me, but the car was not overheating.  The overflow tank was
>> puking fluid.  The expansion tank was pretty low, however, there were no
>> apparent leaks in the system.  I only have one heater, my front one.  Light
>> still blinks even when I have it on.
>>
>>
>>
>>> Can you see a stream of bubbles flowing into the reservoir or does it happen
>>> pretty much at once?
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Please be a little more clear about this question...
>>
>>
>>
>> Anyway...
>>
>> I managed to get it to Terry Griffin, of Griffin Autoworks in Berkeley.
>> Very helpful guy; he's on the Vanagon list of recommended mechanics. I can
>> see why: he opened his shop to me on a Sunday -- his day off -- to help me
>> out. He pressure tested my rad cap, found that it wasn't holding any
>> pressure. He got a new one out, tested it and placed it on my vehicle.  He
>> then bled my system and I returned to LA.  I saw him do all the procedures
>> myself because it was just me and him in the shop.
>>
>> Exactly 3 hours later, at the same gas station as on the way up, it happened
>> again. Same symptoms.
>>
>> I've had the heads rebuilt at 150,000 miles.  The car now has about 167,000.
>> I called Mike from the road because I was totally freaked out and I wanted
>> to hear better news than what the symptoms were telling me.  I am out of
>> warranty as of 2,000 miles.
>>
>> I just got home and haven't been able to get it to my mechanic yet.
>> Meanwhile, my head is reeling with anxiety.  Please guys, please advise
>> here.  I'm still in denial that this could be "worst case scenario".
>>
>>
>> Love and Rockets,
>> DaBomb
>>
>>
>>
>
>