

| Subject: | Re: Cold blooded |
| From: | Sam Scholten |
| Date: | Sun, 1 Mar 1998 14:13:02 -0800 |
---"Thomas D. Hanlon" <hanran.inc@internetMCI.com> wrote: > > On an 84 Westy, where are the "bleeder screws in the engine > compartment?" > Tom, Don't feel like that is a stupid question; I had the roughest time finding my bleeder valve the first time I filled the cooling system in my '84. If you blink, you miss it, and Bentley is little help. Actually, it is not a screw, it is a valve like the one on the radiator. (I assume you know where that is; if you don't, it is to your left as the front grille is removed.) For purposes of orientation, I will use Muir's system: front is the front of the vehicle; rear is toward you. Right and left are your right and your left. All right, you will see two large cooling hoses wrapped around the top front of the engine. The hoses are suspended by two large, readily noticeable clamps. Look CAREFULLY at the left clamp, and you will see it, slightly offset. As you fill the cooling system, always bring two friends. Don't underestimate how many of your friends would like to brag about how they helped work on a Volkswagen Bus! Anyway, to bleed and top off the system, jack the front of the bus up about a foot and a half, putting it on axle stands. I like to jack the bus up at the A-arms, and hold it in place with the axle stands put under the front jacking points- it's more steady that way. Crank your heaters, front and rear. Fire up the motor, letting it warm up so the thermostat can open. After 5-10 minutes, loosen the radiator bleeder valve with a box-end wrench (ratchet won't fit) and twist open the engine bleeder valve with your fingers. It'll be futzy. Have Friend #1 stand at the radiator, wrench in hand; have Friend #2 push down the gas pedal by hand about 2". Start topping off the system at the expansion tank. (You DID get phosphate-free antifreeze, right?) Friend #1 will tighten the radiator valve when s/he is absolutely sure there are no bubbles in the antifreeze coming out. You will do the same at your end. Keep topping off the system until the level at the expansion tank stays consistent (should be soon). Now you're through, so take the bus down off the axle stands and have a beer; you and your friends deserve it. Sorry for the bandwidth, but I hope this helps! Best regards, Sam = "Punk's not dead (it just sucks right now)" _________________________________________________________ DO YOU YAHOO!? Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
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