Neil, the metal in the engine has a thermal reserve.  You can run without
coolant.
The question is, how long?
I wouldn't try it for more than about 30 seconds.
I have done this in the past for that time interval on I4 VW motors with no
ill effects.

I'm sure many will offer different opinions.

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
neil N
Sent: Wednesday, April 09, 2008 10:50 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Run engine without coolant for a few seconds?

Hi all.

I searched the archives, but of course why would there be anything
listed under "run without coolant" ? --- ;^)

I am very close to seeing if the Jetta engine in my Vanagon
(conversion) will start.

Any risk of damaging head, coolant pump or ?  if I fire it up for a
few seconds without coolant?

My thinking is that if there is something horribly wrong with this
engine, I'll hear it right away. If there is, I"d rather not have to
drain all the coolant out.

Maybe I could run with just straight water in place of coolant....

TIA,

Neil.

--
Neil Nicholson. 1981 Air Cooled Westfalia - "Jaco"

http://web.mac.com/tubaneil
http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/