Skip to main content
Gerry | Vanagon
Checking account...
← vanagon.com home · Continue the discussion in the forum
Subject:Re: Coolant Loss- is it that time again?
From:Neil N
Date:Wed, 30 Mar 2016 10:20:53 -0700

A leak that had me stumped (as a WBX newb though) was at the coolant
level sensor
at expansion tank. Coolant would pool in the recess, then evaporate
off from there or from support bracket. Coolant never hit the ground.
That said, I'm pretty sure I also had a slow leak at the rear heater
valve O ring to core.

There are kits available to test coolant for signs of exhaust.

If coolant is getting burned, you might see bubbles in return path to
expansion tank
and/or the cooling system could get over pressurized by exhaust gases.

Neil.

On 3/30/16, David <fjazzbass@gmail.com> wrote:
> On my 85 1.9 (second set of heads...that we did 11 years ago) I'm
> suspecting internal leakage...
>
> I have had a lot of coolant loss over a long period of time...I topped up
> the bottle- thinkng that maybe when a heater control switch was switched
> out that we just didn't get all the air out of the system...
>
> I did have another external leak that I fixed- but something just doesn't
> seem right.
>
> Just finished pouring about a gallon of antifreeze into the system this AM-
> and doing some bleeding...what's next? How can I locate this internal leak?
> Or would there be some other not so obvious places? Rear heater is
> bypassed...maybe lost coolant from that operation and it's only showing up
> now...something aint right!
>
> The engine runs like a champ- full power - after my more recent electrical
> (I believe to have been) issues- reseating all major suspects...it runs and
> idles wonderfully....
>
> Any advice is welcome... do we have to check for exhaust in the coolant?
>
> Dave
> 85 1.9 GL MT
>

--
Neil n

Blog: Vanagons, Westfalia, general <http://tubaneil.blogspot.ca>

1988 Westy Images <https://picasaweb.google.com/musomuso/New1988Westy>

1981 Westfalia "Jaco" Images, technical <http://tubaneil.googlepages.com/>

Vanagon-Bus VAG Gas Engine Swap Group <http://tinyurl.com/khalbay>