EJ22 in 1987 T25 multivan - gauge showing overheating

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kevster996
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EJ22 in 1987 T25 multivan - gauge showing overheating

Post by kevster996 »

Ive just got my T25 with EJ22 RJES conversion running and it sounds pretty sweet apart from an overheat problem. The VW gauge moves slowly up and to the far right which is concerning.

I borrowed a high tech heat detector gun and with the engine fully warmed up when I test the pipes I get:

- big inlet pipe on bottom of thermostat/water pump - 35 deg
- small metal bypass pipe that runs from top of pump to RJES h pipework and also t's off to manifold - 106 deg way too hot!?
- the small t off to manifold is too high but the pipe after this t seems to cool down to under 90 deg.

Im wondering if there is an airlock in the small bypass pipe - or any other ideas welcome.

The overflow tank seems to have enough water in and also the top up tank.

The engine diagnostic light is flashing too (not sure if timing is same as when it overheats).

silverbullet
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Re: EJ22 in 1987 T25 multivan - gauge showing overheating

Post by silverbullet »

New, good quality thermostat fitted? All RJES coolant mods? Heater on full and radiator bled of air?
Sounds like all your coolant is going round the bypass.
The temp sender on the coolant manifold needs a resistor mod to read correctly iirc

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multisi
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Re: EJ22 in 1987 T25 multivan - gauge showing overheating

Post by multisi »

Have you done an error code test ? My early ej 22,s don't need a resistor mod. What sort of air filter have you set up.
1992 red lle 2.2 subaru 1990 rhd caravelle 2.2 subaru 1986 california import vanagon

kevster996
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Re: EJ22 in 1987 T25 multivan - gauge showing overheating

Post by kevster996 »

silverbullet wrote:New, good quality thermostat fitted? All RJES coolant mods? Heater on full and radiator bled of air?
Sounds like all your coolant is going round the bypass.
The temp sender on the coolant manifold needs a resistor mod to read correctly iirc

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All RJES mods yes - heater on full - possibly need to check rad bleed - ignoring gauge for now but the bypass pip was 106 deg which sounds way too high? was thinking of running it without the thermostat? Thx for your reply..

kevster996
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Re: EJ22 in 1987 T25 multivan - gauge showing overheating

Post by kevster996 »

multisi wrote:Have you done an error code test ? My early ej 22,s don't need a resistor mod. What sort of air filter have you set up.

not yet but will try monday. Ive got a piper cross foam cone filter bolted to the stock new air flow sensor. Water pump inc stat are both brand new...

matt brighton
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Re: EJ22 in 1987 T25 multivan - gauge showing overheating

Post by matt brighton »

Hi

Just got mine running too - sharing your symptoms

and though mindful of the known gauge over read... I'm still not feeling flow or an even ish temperature either side of the thermostat, despite bleeding the system and doing everything to try to eliminate air locks..

The low and hi rad fans kick in after longer trip to halfords today, but its still feels too cool on the lower return pipe next to block on the return side of the thermostat.

I did test the stat - it opens - but i will drain and refill the system without it in so as to hopefully push thru any air pockets by pressure filling (rag and hose technique)

I also have a new radiator yet to fit ...

I have the occasional stalling at junctions after braking when I come to a stop though its ticks over sweetly otherwise - - I suspect air leaking in in vac hoses/breather side but also mindful of the paranoia of new engine "shakedown"

- seeing error code 24 - and 12 .....

I have also ordered a new lambada sensor arriving next week - will try it with stat removed tomorrow ...and recheck all my hoses on the intake side as well as clearing error cos=des and starting again.


Keep in touch - otherwise I'm very pleased with the conversion - just a few wrinkles to sort - (keeps it... "interesting")


matt
Last edited by matt brighton on 14 Oct 2018, 06:18, edited 1 time in total.

matt brighton
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Re: EJ22 in 1987 T25 multivan - gauge showing overheating

Post by matt brighton »

PS...

for £15 off e bay I got a Haynes Repair Manual for the 1990 - 99 Legacy - No 89100..... very detailed and delivered in 2 days.

Good fault finding and detailed troubleshooting section

Would recommend - :ok

Matt

kevster996
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Re: EJ22 in 1987 T25 multivan - gauge showing overheating

Post by kevster996 »

Good to know theres another ej22er locally (Im in hove) - can def share tips etc. Yep sounds like we have the same issue and setup - is yours a RJES conversion? Im going to take my thermostat out prob today but refilling is tricky without getting air in. I need to take mine to my local garage to finish off MOT as it needs a bit of welding and horn failed (rebuilding steering column as top bearing was shot as well). Should be road legal tuesday hopefully.

I do have a nifty temp gun (which I need to give back next week) which you can just point at stuff and it gives you an accurate reading so can always meet up so we can test yours? Ive got a haynes manual already for the subaru but from what Ive been reading the water setup isnt great due to having thermostat at the bottom and all the routing - also in a bus the water prob cools down more on its return to the engine.

Im happy to run without stat if that cures it - not great for warmups and fuel economy at start but sounds much safer...

What exhaust you running & have you got an error code reader?

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Re: EJ22 in 1987 T25 multivan - gauge showing overheating

Post by kevster996 »

This is a useful page from RJES re bleeding the system - http://www.rjes.com/html/filling_procedure.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

multisi
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Re: EJ22 in 1987 T25 multivan - gauge showing overheating

Post by multisi »

Matt has an ej20 and has no exhaust ! What year is your ej22 ? Have you checked if the rad is getting hot after a good run and loosen the rad bleed screw to see if its bled. You don't need a reader for the error codes, just plug the connectors together that rjes tagged for error code read and turn ignition to first position only, then look at the light that rjes installed and if there is an error, count the long and short flashes.
1992 red lle 2.2 subaru 1990 rhd caravelle 2.2 subaru 1986 california import vanagon

matt brighton
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Re: EJ22 in 1987 T25 multivan - gauge showing overheating

Post by matt brighton »

I have an exhaust on it now and it sounds surprisingly civilised but still the nice off beat burble

The neighbours like it too :ok
Last edited by matt brighton on 15 Oct 2018, 03:53, edited 1 time in total.

multisi
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Re: EJ22 in 1987 T25 multivan - gauge showing overheating

Post by multisi »

Well done Matt you move fast.
1992 red lle 2.2 subaru 1990 rhd caravelle 2.2 subaru 1986 california import vanagon

silverbullet
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Re: EJ22 in 1987 T25 multivan - gauge showing overheating

Post by silverbullet »

No thermostat means no coolant system back pressure, so the pump will not circulate...

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matt brighton
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Re: EJ22 in 1987 T25 multivan - gauge showing overheating

Post by matt brighton »

Hi

Im in touch with Kev - he's local to me and we are going to meet up soon.

Today,

Fitted a hangar for my new exhaust - its a pretty looking titanium bike can, exiting the rear just left of centre ( a bit like me :ok )


I seem to be getting some random error codes (starting the engine with bits of vac hose and sensors disconnected isn't helping_ ) -

Just cleared following fault codes...

No speed sensor signal -
air idle control valve and
starter switch

Have reset the ecu and will see what comes back after a drive tomorrow

Precautionary new lambada sensor arrives next week although original now seems ok despite throwing a fault code a few days ago - i just damaged it off the van and for £17 for a generic one its worth fitting anyway i think..

However - the engine runs sweetly and pulls very well - so Im sure it'll all bed in and get sorted

multisi
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Re: EJ22 in 1987 T25 multivan - gauge showing overheating

Post by multisi »

The early EJ22 engines don't seem to need a Vehicle speed sensor installed.
1992 red lle 2.2 subaru 1990 rhd caravelle 2.2 subaru 1986 california import vanagon

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