I kinda feel the same way- it's worked just fine every time I've done it by
the book. I can see the thing about lifting the ass end, though, if only for
the sake of being thorough.
I didn't know what a banjo fitting was, but in looking at what's available I
think that's the way to go for a petcock on the radiator. Looks like you
could find a properly sized bolt-on, too. They have them that handle brake
system pressure so it shouldn't be any problem for the coolant system. Might
even find something suitable at a FLAPS.
I gather these vans came with some kind of bolt with a channel in it? Mine
just has a plain 'ol bolt in it- good way to wind up wearing some hot
coolant, and having to clean that sticky crap off of everything, so that's
one of the reasons I want to put a valve in there.
It's a good thing I like tinkering with this thing.

Cya,
Robert

----- Original Message -----
From: "Doug F" <vanagon@ASTOUND.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, February 10, 2006 12:00 AM
Subject: Re: How to - or not - bleed the cooling system

> Why not just bleed the vanagon according to the  Bentley manual suggests?
>
> I for one do not understand why everybody feels they need a "better" way
> to
> bleed the system. I do it EXACTLY the way the Bentley manual outlines and
> it
> works. Why challenge the engineering. How can you know that you "know"
> better. How can you "know" you have established your method based upon
> "better" research?  You cant! Thats why I do it EXACTLY the way the book
> outlines and sure its not easy but it does work.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Al and Sue Brase" <albeeee@MCHSI.COM>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Thursday, February 09, 2006 9:02 AM
> Subject: Re: How to - or not - bleed the cooling system
>
>
>> I'm following this link and have to say- I don't understand what is all
>> the fuss about. One cannot fill the rear reservoir completely full.
>> About half full is right, there needs to be room for expansion. The
>> front (inside) bottle needs to be full all the time. but a properly
>> function pressure cap and air tight hose to the expansion tank will keep
>> it topped up.
>> I NEVER take out the grille and bleed the radiator. Even last month when
>> I put in a different engine and quite a bit of coolant was lost, I just
>> filled it up at the pressure cap a couple of times, started it up and
>> refilled it with the engine at operating temp and revved up to about
>> 2000 (had someone else hold it there), and put on the pressure cap and
>> hose before releasing  Then tighten down the valve on the thermostat
>> housing.
>> Sure, there is a little .air in the system, but it will self bleed out
>> in a few cycles. Maybe this might be a big problem with the a/c on in
>> the summer if it was 100 degrees outside. But I doubt it.
>> I've never owned a 1.9 gas car and they might quite possibly need more
>> care than this. The same procedure works for my 82 diesel, however.
>> I'll check the radiator bleed valve sometime. I realize that large
>> amounts of air might not be able to get out of the radiator without
>> bleeding. Maybe in our climate 1/2 a radiator is enogh to give me good
>> cooling.
>> Al Brase
>>
>> BJ Feddish wrote:
>>
>> >I'd like to share something that someone on this list shared with me
> years
>> >ago. This is done after you've done all the "jack-up-the-front" stuff
> from
>> >Bentley, etc.  After driving the van to full temperature let it cool
>> >down
>> >overnight. There will be some air in the rear reservoir.  Open it up and
>> >fill it with coolant again. Drive it again until it's hot then let it
> cool
>> >overnight again. There will be more air there. Fill it back up. Keep
> doing
>> >this for about a week or until air stops appearing in the tank.  After I
> did
>> >this the temp gauge is always below the led when I'm driving and when it
>> >idles it only goes a hair passed the led even on hot days. The light has
>> >never blinked.  I'm convinced that most head problems people have are
> from
>> >too much air in their systems.
>> >
>> >Bryan
>> >
>> >
>> >