Plenty oil but no coolant.
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- Fun.
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- Location: Fife, Scotland
Plenty oil but no coolant.
Hi All
After all my recent shenanigans, I checked oil and coolant the other week, I knew oil was all good as I'd had it topped it up, what I didn't realise was that two garages let me drive away with little to no coolant in my van. I realise I am also to blame however I didn't even know I had to put coolant in it until you all told me I have a water boxer and not an air cooled engine.
Q: How much damage can/could I have done
Q: What are steps to check
Hope you can help, I have coolant on order however I don't know if I should even start her at this stage.
Cheers
Fun.
After all my recent shenanigans, I checked oil and coolant the other week, I knew oil was all good as I'd had it topped it up, what I didn't realise was that two garages let me drive away with little to no coolant in my van. I realise I am also to blame however I didn't even know I had to put coolant in it until you all told me I have a water boxer and not an air cooled engine.
Q: How much damage can/could I have done
Q: What are steps to check
Hope you can help, I have coolant on order however I don't know if I should even start her at this stage.
Cheers
Fun.
_
Water Cooled 1983 Petrol T25
She's had 21 previous owners, I'm no. 22
She's now named Daisy
Water Cooled 1983 Petrol T25
She's had 21 previous owners, I'm no. 22
She's now named Daisy
- 937carrera
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Re: Plenty oil but no coolant.
How much is "little to no coolant" and how do you know ?
1981 RHD 2.0 Aircooled Leisuredrive project, CU engine
1990 RHD 1.9 Auto Sleeper with DF/DG engine
1990 RHD 1.9 Auto Sleeper with DF/DG engine
- Fun.
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- Joined: 17 Jul 2018, 12:04
- 80-90 Mem No: 16678
- Location: Fife, Scotland
Re: Plenty oil but no coolant.
The tank is empty, I don't know if there's still some in the system.
_
Water Cooled 1983 Petrol T25
She's had 21 previous owners, I'm no. 22
She's now named Daisy
Water Cooled 1983 Petrol T25
She's had 21 previous owners, I'm no. 22
She's now named Daisy
Re: Plenty oil but no coolant.
What exactly did these garages do to your van? Did either of them do any work where they would of had to drain any coolant from it?
2.1 LPG/Petrol Auto Caravelle
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits"
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits"
- Fun.
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- Joined: 17 Jul 2018, 12:04
- 80-90 Mem No: 16678
- Location: Fife, Scotland
Re: Plenty oil but no coolant.
No but one of the garages were supposed to be doing a vehicle check to see how sound it was after purchase. After a month of waiting for the van I only got info on structural stuff that was wrong and quoted 2.5k for the work to make it *safe* and roadworthy. Not one mention of something as crucial as coolant.
_
Water Cooled 1983 Petrol T25
She's had 21 previous owners, I'm no. 22
She's now named Daisy
Water Cooled 1983 Petrol T25
She's had 21 previous owners, I'm no. 22
She's now named Daisy
- Fun.
- Registered user
- Posts: 159
- Joined: 17 Jul 2018, 12:04
- 80-90 Mem No: 16678
- Location: Fife, Scotland
Re: Plenty oil but no coolant.
Admittedly I should have asked them to top that up when I asked them to top up the oil before I travelled home. I got charged for the oil on top of the bit of the vehicle assessment I received.
_
Water Cooled 1983 Petrol T25
She's had 21 previous owners, I'm no. 22
She's now named Daisy
Water Cooled 1983 Petrol T25
She's had 21 previous owners, I'm no. 22
She's now named Daisy
Re: Plenty oil but no coolant.
Methinks you need to change your garage.I suggest you top your tank with water for now and see how much you can get in. You can always drain it and fill it with coolant when you get it.Make sure you push your dash heater sliders open when you do.
2.1 LPG/Petrol Auto Caravelle
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits"
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits"
Re: Plenty oil but no coolant.
Fun. wrote:The tank is empty, I don't know if there's still some in the system.
Which tank are you referring to? An empty top-up tank (behind the number plate flap) is a sign of neglect, and maybe some small leaks somewhere, but on its own is not a serious problem. An empty header tank (rear left corner), on the other hand, is a sign of serious neglect, and would be a problem for the engine. The header tank should be brim full, the top-up tank should be up to the mark when cool. Top them up accordingly, then keep an eye on the levels to monitor whether you have any serious leaks.
"I'm a man of means, by no means....King of the Road!"
1983 Viking Xplorer, 2.1DJ
1983 Viking Xplorer, 2.1DJ
- Fun.
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Re: Plenty oil but no coolant.
Thanks folks, I’ll let you know how I get on.
Fun.
Fun.
_
Water Cooled 1983 Petrol T25
She's had 21 previous owners, I'm no. 22
She's now named Daisy
Water Cooled 1983 Petrol T25
She's had 21 previous owners, I'm no. 22
She's now named Daisy
- Fun.
- Registered user
- Posts: 159
- Joined: 17 Jul 2018, 12:04
- 80-90 Mem No: 16678
- Location: Fife, Scotland
Re: Plenty oil but no coolant.
CJH wrote:An empty header tank (rear left corner)
It's the one in the bottom left of this pic that's totally empty.
_
Water Cooled 1983 Petrol T25
She's had 21 previous owners, I'm no. 22
She's now named Daisy
Water Cooled 1983 Petrol T25
She's had 21 previous owners, I'm no. 22
She's now named Daisy
- 937carrera
- Registered user
- Posts: 3599
- Joined: 05 Apr 2015, 19:29
- 80-90 Mem No: 16333
- Location: N Yorks.
Re: Plenty oil but no coolant.
That's the tank referred to as the header tank by CJH.
I suggest you add a measured amount of water until it is full- say 1 litre at a time, heater on hot.
If not much coolant is needed, then you can always drain some off and add antifreeze to get to the right 50/50 mix.
If a lot is needed, then you're going to need to drain and refil with fresh anyway.
Let us know how much you needed to add to fill the system and that tank to the top
I suggest you add a measured amount of water until it is full- say 1 litre at a time, heater on hot.
If not much coolant is needed, then you can always drain some off and add antifreeze to get to the right 50/50 mix.
If a lot is needed, then you're going to need to drain and refil with fresh anyway.
Let us know how much you needed to add to fill the system and that tank to the top
1981 RHD 2.0 Aircooled Leisuredrive project, CU engine
1990 RHD 1.9 Auto Sleeper with DF/DG engine
1990 RHD 1.9 Auto Sleeper with DF/DG engine
Re: Plenty oil but no coolant.
Worth testing the cap on that tank as well whilst your at it.If you can suck and blow through it, then it needs replacing. Buy one from brickwerks. A spare is an essential bit of kit.
2.1 LPG/Petrol Auto Caravelle
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits"
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits"