Initial pressure test with crappy tire pump whose gauge was sticky
(ugh)...had to pump it to 20 to get it to register right, backed it off a
bit...

Paydirt...leak around the upper radiator hose...maybe radiator? Radiator is
pretty crusty...

tightened hose clamp on radiator ~ 1/4- 1/2 turn, pressure up, no leak...
everything else looked good....

I'm going to get a new tire pump with better gauge and will report back...

Thanks all for the great suggestions...

Dave

On Thu, Mar 31, 2016 at 5:25 PM, David <fjazzbass@gmail.com> wrote:

> Narrowing down- that's my next inspection point- I'll be pressure testing
> as well and will post results...I'm assuming that rust color is from the
> internal piece breaking down...I'm wondering if I should just purchase the
> Go Westy kit as an ounce of prevention :-/
>
> Dave
>
> On Thu, Mar 31, 2016 at 4:39 PM, SDF ( aka ;jim lahey' - Scott ) <
> scottdaniel@turbovans.com> wrote:
>
>> the plastic pipes..
>> particularily at the front ends of them, near the radiator, are notorious
>> for having the a metal insert slip out of place, out of the end of the
>> plastic pipe....causing a leak ..
>>
>> and sometimes, a sudden large leak.
>> I've had it happen out on the road in a seemed-just-fine personal
>> Vanagon, and I've seen a wonderful Vanagon in a junkyard with fried engine
>> for  this Exact cause.
>>
>> you might keep an eye on this spot, you might pull the hose off and
>> 're-do' in there, etc.
>> GW sells a kit I gather, as well.
>>
>> fwiw, if I was going to attempt to re-glue the metal insert back into the
>> plastic pipe, I'd use Marine Tex ...one of the best two-part epoxies you'll
>> ever find.
>>
>> in any case..investigate that spot further I suggest !
>>
>> Scott
>>
>> On 3/31/2016 4:26 AM, David wrote:
>>
>> Ok, the hunt is on...completely topped up system... Visual inspection
>> reveals externally, at the worst a rusty spot on one of the forward coolant
>> plastic hoses... really? with it idling in the drive, with me revving it,
>> it's still bone dry on the outside :-/
>>
>> I guess more time needs to pass and need to see more coolant losss...
>>
>> Probably time to replace plugs so I'll endeavor into that and maybe that
>> will tell me something...Still have to get a pressure gauge on it and see
>> what that reveals...if anything from the outside...
>>
>> Oh yeah, and initial test with running the van cold fo 30 secs to see if
>> any burps come out from combustion getting into coolant turned out
>> negative....no bubble, nada, nuthin...
>>
>> Will post more as I go through this...
>>
>> Dave
>>
>> On Wed, Mar 30, 2016 at 10:59 PM, Phil Zimmerman <philzimm1@shaw.ca> <philzimm1@shaw.ca> wrote:
>>
>>
>> From: David [mailto:fjazzbass@gmail.com <fjazzbass@gmail.com>]
>> Any advice is welcome... do we have to check for exhaust in the coolant?
>> Dave
>> 85 1.9 GL MT
>>
>> Dave,
>>
>> Another internal leak symptom the check if you have not located the source:
>> Pull all four spark plugs, in order and compare their electrodes.
>> A clean electrode, if present, will show itself compared to the normal grey
>> to black oil/carbon of combustion. A clean spark-plug electrode is a sign
>> of
>> coolant getting into the combustion chamber.
>>
>> Subaru coolant conditioner has worked wonders for a number of folk on this
>> list.
>>
>> Good hunting Dave.
>>
>> Phil z.
>> On his rock off the west coast
>>
>>
>>
>>
>