[Vwdiesel] Oh-Oh...First winter **** up!

[LBaird119 at aol.com]

> What do you think about testing the oil cooler/warmer by taking it off,
> pluging one side, pumping it up with air and dumping it in water to check
> for bubbles?  What kind of psi would be in there normally?

  Just like pressure testing a head or radiator.  Plug the hole/s. put 
pressure to one of them, immerse in water and look for bubbles.  A 
radiator shop should be able to test it for you.  Radiators are tested 
at 15 to 20psi.  You might want this tested closer to 100psi.

> 
> The system is still half full of coolant, the expansion tank coated with
> really thick, black, gunge...  The cap is packed solid... Any ideas on a way
> to flush system and rad.? 

  Only think I 've been able to come up with is maybe alcohol or a fairly 
high concentration of industrial floor cleaner/degreaser.  Here, Costco 
sells some stuff that'd probably do a great job of it.  Then flush out with 
water.

> 
> I cut the top hose off and started it up, the temp guage hit max and warning
> light started flashing within 30 sec. Couldn't feel any pressure from the
> hose at idle but when I revved it I got covered in coolant... Is that a sure
> sign the head is gone? Or is it 'cos of the water pump? No white smoke from
> exhaust and it sounds pretty normal...
> 

  Temp light probably pegged from low coolant in the reservoir.  Often 
seems to peg the gauge on my Dasher too.  Not sure if that's an 
intermittent short or what but it's never been from being hot.  Just slowly 
peg and flash then return to normal. 
  You rarely see white, antifreeze smoke on the diesels.  Too high of 
compression so the coolant doesn't get in the combustion chamber, just 
combustion gasses into the coolant.
  Once you get it all back together to warm it up, look for bubbles in the 
small, return line (Vanagons have that like the rest, don't they?)  If you 
don't get a steady stream then the line's either plugged or you've got 
a blown gasket and are just getting air.
  A leakdown test is where you pressurize the cylinder, usually with a 
special gauge set.  The gauges will tell you how much air is leaking out, 
you listen and look to see if it's past an intake valve, exhaust valve, rings 

or into the coolant passages.
     Loren