[Vwdiesel] 81 Rabbit w/ a fever

[LBaird119 at aol.com]

In a message dated 6/18/2008 7:07:40 AM Pacific Daylight Time, rbp at 4u2bu.org 
writes:

> NOW, however, running hot even though coolant topped up
> I remove res cap and steamy bubbly even though res full
> what's going on?
> normally I only get steam when res level low and too little coolant in  
> system
> is the water pump toast?
> 

  Pull the cap, have the coolant about midway in the reservoir. 
Pull the throttle open for a couple hundred more rpm.  How's the 
coolant stream look that comes into the top of the reservoir?  
Solid stream is good, no stream?  Check the hose for obstruction 
and re-check.  If good then is it a solid stream, some bubble 
bursts, lots of them or just steam?  More than just a couple 
is indication of a blown head gasket.  No steam and you can 
presume a problem with the water pump but pull a heater hose 
to double check for actual circulation flow.  (stick a garden 
hose in the reservoir, turned on enough to keep up and then 
rev the engine a couple times.
 You may have just a leaky heater core or the coolant may have 
been neglected and it's "eaten away" by acid buildup.  The rad 
would be next to go along with the pipe to the heater and res.
May be a head gasket or water pump as well or instead.
    Loren



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