[Vwdiesel] *more 81 Rabbit adventures*

[Val Christian]

> 
> Rolf Pechukas wrote:
> > drove it locally for a little while, still getting way too high, up  
> > near the red
> > 
> > so, back to the drawing board
> > 
> > collapsed hose? checked lower rad hose, looked new, still has sticker  
> > on it (again someone down same rd)
> 
> Check the radiator, look inside the tank if you can and pull the fan switch.  Maybe it is 
> clogged.

	Fan switch in Boston at this time of the year is not a 
	problem.  I've run without a fan for 9 months in Rochester NY.
	
	You want to verify you have good radiator flow.  A garden
	hose is good for 6 to 8 GPM.  If you pull the radiator, it
	should take all of that.  

	Rather I would just verify that the radiator gets hot, all 
	over.  (inlet and outlet)

> 
> > head gasket?? how to tell for sure?
> 
> Pressure test the cooling system, look for system pressure to rise with rising engine RPM. 
>   Would indicate the engine compression is leaking into the cooling system.


	If you can't do that, run the engine with the pressure cap off.
	You should not see bubbling in the tank.  There are some CO 
	detector chemicals you can put use to determine if there are
	combustion chemicals in the coolant.  That's more sensitive,
	but if your HG is gone, you will see bubbles.   Watch and 
	zoom the engine a little to knock out any large bubbles.


+++++++++++++++


	I'm concerned that you have some kind of a failure in the 
	water pump area.  Been there and debugged that.

	If you're still stuck, email me and we can have a phone 
	conversation.