Hi Mike,

I purchased a long tupperware-type plastic container... guesstimate 24"l x 16"w x 6"h... shallow enough to fit easily under the van, enough volume to catch the coolant I drained (didn't figure volume, but drained most of system), length enough to catch random "drips" that spawn off from your opening point, and snap-close lid for moving it around.. I also threw on a spigot from a carboy I had lying around- so now I can easily drain from that container into a transportable/ sealable container and haul to haz-waste depot... oh- and goggles!  A couple shop towels are handy as well.

Merry Friday,
Mike

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Date:    Fri, 22 Oct 2004 09:04:41 -0700
From:    Rocket J Squirrel <j.michael.elliott@ADELPHIA.NET>
Subject: Coolant draining strategy?

Mellow Yellow's 1.9 has the famous head gasket coolant leak, so I'll be
pulling the engine. I need suggestions, tricks and techniques, for
avoiding coolant spills.

I can't do the work on my property because the driveway is very, very
sloped. So the engine pull will be done on the street. The neighbors
tolerated a couple months of the Wonderbus sitting in the street with
no
engine while I was replacing it, so I don't expect any trouble from
them
on that front. However, if I make a great big mess with coolant, and
let
that toxic stuff flow down the storm drain, someone may raise an
objection.

I can follow the Usual Procedures for draining the coolant before I
start unhooking hoses. But from there . . . keep a bunch of buckets
handy? Is that about it? How about some kind of absorbent blanket or
something to catch the stuff I miss?

What's the good, thoughtful way to go about this?

--
Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
71 Type 2: the Wonderbus
84 Westphalia: "Mellow Yellow (The Electrical Banana)"
KG6RCR

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