The later 2.1 cooling system is pretty much self-bleeding. If you do a basic
bleed, the air will come out through the Magic Ring of Hanover and be
replaced from the overflow bottle.

The Libby Bong is a great help for the initial fill, and then you're good to
go.

On Thu, Apr 22, 2010 at 12:13 AM, Tobias Gogolin <usertogo@gmail.com> wrote:

> Yes, as Industrial designer and even more as just a German I am deeply
> disturbed by the thought that something so imperfect could have gone into
> production...
>
> I'm thinking about replacing the purging screw on the radiator in front
> with
> a Hose nipple and some kind of automatic purging scheme?
>
>
>
> On Thu, Apr 22, 2010 at 12:03 AM, Tom Hargrave <thargrav@hiwaay.net>
> wrote:
>
> > Tobias,
> >
> > Air in the cooling system will cause problems regardless of the vehicle
> and
> > air blocking coolant flow, not lack of coolant is what causes most
> engines
> > to overheat. The water pump can't overcome bubble in the upper radiator
> > hose
> > when you stop and your temperature spikes.
> >
> > But several European cars have what I consider a flaw in the cooling
> system
> > - the "flaw" is that the designers route the upper radiator hose so high
> or
> > mount the radiator so low that the system can't self purge. This "flaw"
> > requires you to purge the system after any coolant service. For example,
> > you
> > WILL DESTROY THE ENGINE in some 3 series BMWs if you don't follow the
> > correct bleeding procedure to purge the air bubble out of the upper
> > radiator
> > hose after performing a coolant service. I'm sure the if the vanagon has
> > the
> > same flaw then it has a similar purge procedure and someone else more
> > knowledgeable than me of vanagon cooling systems can give you
> instructions.
> >
> > No reflection on your abilities but this is a good example of home
> > mechanics
> > or pro mechanics without the right experience doing more harm than good
> > because they know just enough about what they are working on to get into
> > trouble. The mechanic would change the coolant, not properly purge the
> > system and then the mechanic or his customer would pay the consequences
> > later.
> >
> > Tom
> > www.kegkits.com
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM] On Behalf
> Of
> > Tobias Gogolin
> > Sent: Wednesday, April 21, 2010 11:56 PM
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > Subject: Water Cooler System Design Flaw Workaround?
> >
> > I suppose most of us are aware that if for whatever reason there is air
> in
> > the cooling system of a Vanagon (T3?) it will overheat because the system
> > gets 'air locked'. That means the coolant cant flow through the radiator
> > because it would have to push air down in the return path an there is
> > obviously not enough pressure to do that...
> > I'm suspecting there could be some solution, one would be to put the
> > radiator down where the spare tire is and eliminate the potential vapor
> > lock, or... what else ?
> >
> > Thanks!
> >
> > Tobias
> >
> >
>
>
> --
> Tobias Gogolin
> Tel. Movistar (646) 124 32 82
> Tel. Telcel (646) 160 58 99
> skype: moontogo
> messenger: usertogo@hotmail.com
>
> Blog: http://zeitgeistensenada.blogspot.com/
>
> You develop Sustainable Ranch Technology at
> http://tech.groups.yahoo.com/group/SURA-TECH
> an Open Source Electric Motor/Alternator at
> http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Performance_Axial_Flux
> and an Open Source Motor Controller at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GoBox
>

--
Jake

1984 Vanagon GL 1.9 WBX 'The Grey Van'
1986 Westy Weekender/2.5 SOHC Suby 'Dixie'

Crescent Beach, BC

www.thebassspa.com
www.crescentbeachguitar.com
http://subyjake.googlepages.com/mydixiedarlin%27