>
>To:tzallen@uniserve.com
>From:tmarcini@execpc.com (Tim Marciniak)
>Subject:Re: Overheating, '87 Vanagon
>
>>I request some help with what has turned out to be a chronic problem of
>>overheating on my '87 vanagon.  When driving at sustained speeds on the
>>highway, everything is fine for a while.  Then the red warning light on the
>>temp guage starts to flash and the temperature starts to rise.  I pull over
>>and check the engine.  the coolant seems to be boiling and overflowing into
>>the "overflow" tank.  It fills well over the cap and starts to come out.  I
>>release some of the pressure and the engine cools down if I drive at lower
>>rpm, say 3000.  The temp rises again when going up hills or if I let the
>>rpms creep up.
>>
>>In town, the red warning light often flashes, but there plenty of coolant
>>and the engine temp doesn't seem to rise above half way on the guage.
>>
>>I have been to the mechanic several times.  There are no apparent leaks, no
>>apparent combustion of coolant (actually it doesn't seem to lose coolant).
>>He has changed the thermostat, the thermostat housing and says everything is
>>ok, but it isn't.  It works for a few days than it acts up again.
>>
>>Any ideas?  I have had problems with heads and head gaskets, could this be
>>related?  Is exhaust gas getting into the coolant?  What tests are
>>available?  Help.
>>
>>Tom Z.
>
>Tom,
>
>Has the cooling system been bled of air?  Is your coolant fresh or is it a
>couple of years old?  When was the last time the cooling system was
>flushed?  BTW if I'm not mistaken the red warning light signals a low
>level of coolant in the expansion tank and not an overheating situation.
>In your case the cooling systen is overheating because your temp gauge is
>going up and you have boil over so it sounds like you need to rule out if
>you have enough coolant in system, properly bled of air, and coolant is
>fresh.
>
>Good Luck

Tim Marciniak                         tmarcini@execpc.com
90 Westy Multivan