Thanks Richard,  What you have said is pretty much what I thought was the
case.  I have been hoping that Dennis might have something to say.  I will
try what you said to see if that works.  The excellent working of the
heater does make me wonder about the coolant actually being low, but I
suppose it could be low enough to cause the blinking on that occasion
without being low enough to prevent adequate coolant flow to the heater.
It's a pretty cold day here today, teens F, so I may wait until its a bit
warmer, as my garage isn't heated.  Oh, I also don't have the hose clamp
pliers for that hose on the pressure tank.  Any ideas (or anyone else know)
of a way around that for those clamps?  Where would I get that pliers?

Dave

Dave

On Wed, Feb 2, 2022 at 9:55 AM Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
wrote:

> Dave, I have been holding off replying to your question....in hopes that
> more savvy mechanics would chime in.  But in my case with low coolant in
> pressure vessel, I simply disconnected the hose at blue cap, removed cap,
> filled pressure vessel to top; replaced cap and hose, and all has been well
> for two years.  Yes, did this with cool motor.  Remember...motor coolant
> expands with temperature rise.  The idea of a properly sealed system is
> that as coolant expands, it overflows into the other tank, and then as
> coolant temperature lowers, there is suction that draws back from overflow
> tank to refill pressure vessel tank.  The fact that this is not working so
> good seems to me that some leak is occurring in one of the hoses or hose
> connection, and that "air" is being drawn back into pressure tank instead
> of coolant.  But I don't see any harm with what I have described, other
> than it doesn't fix the "root" of the problem.  Again, I'm patiently
> waiting along with you for expert opinions from the other guys.
>
> On Tuesday, February 1, 2022, 06:21:10 PM PST, David McNeely <
> davmcneely40@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Drove the camper 25 miles this afternoon (with available coolant in the
> cabin).  LED never blinked, and after engine was warm, rode dead center on
> the LED, like it usually does.  Ambient temp this afternoon low 30s.  I
> should have mentioned before also, the heater provided plenty of warm
> (almost hot) air.  Would the heater heat with low coolant?  As I said
> before, the overflow tank was at max, and I can't see in the pressure tank,
> ,walls opaque, though plastic.
>
> mcneely
>
> On Tue, Feb 1, 2022 at 11:46 AM Richard Koerner <rjkinpb@sbcglobal.net>
> wrote:
>
> Yeah, my guess would be low coolant in pressure vessel.  Perhaps some tiny
> leak in hoses or connections.  Of course, very easy fix to add 50/50
> coolant....and then observe for a while.
>
> Side note:  I just ordered the aluminum pressure vessel from Van Cafe.
> Not that I'm having any issues of late.  But word on the street is that the
> plastic tank and the plastic cap tend to degrade over time, and reliable
> parts are getting hard to come by.  Since I plan to keep my Subie 2.2
> Vanagon Tintop for another 30 years and do a lot of long distance travel, I
> figured what the heck, go for it.
>
> On Tuesday, February 1, 2022, 11:35:45 AM PST, David McNeely <
> davmcneely40@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Had an odd incident this morning.  Driving at about 35 mph, ambient temp 24
> F, no wind, temp needle on the LED as usual, having driven about 5 miles
> from cold start, temp led started blinking.  When I could get to a safe
> spot, I pulled over, let the vehicle cool, and went on to my destination
> (another 8 miles) with no reoccurrance.  I then drove home (13 miles),
> stopping to buy coolant just in case.  Right now, the van is in my garage,
> waiting cool down to check for low coolant or leaks.
>
> Any thoughts?  By the time you read this, and anyone gets back to me, I
> will have checked it of course.
>
> David McNeely
>
>