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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
www.climbaddictdesigns.com
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 7, 2012 - 04:14pm PT
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I have some of those tools, but not many. And though the van is old, it is in very good shape, so hopefully corroded parts aren't too bad(they sure were in the old van).
I do have the owners manual for this vehicle, and a generic Fix It book for the van. and it doesn't *look* that bad, but yeah, they say to follow a radiator hose back to the thermostat bolts and make no mention that I saw of having to remove stuff, but I am pretty sure that at least some stuff that is above there would have to come off.
It is the lack of confidence, the concern of strength needed when a bolt or scree won't give, and the concern as to finding a place to perform the job that isn't going to be a problem - safe enough that if I cannot do the work I can leave the van and get help, and remote enough that I won't get tooled, and clean enough that I won't be blowing dust and garbage into exposed openings.
Yes, I will get the thermostat replaced, but I am not doing it today.
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Captain...or Skully
climber
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Hagerty made a solid, valid point. You need more mechanical knowledge if you're gonna be a Road warrior, Ms. Terrie.
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Jon Beck
Trad climber
Oceanside
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I believe in following the OEM design intent 99.9% of the time, therefore I don't think you need an overflow tank unless it originally had one and it was removed.
Generally good advice, but the lack of an overflow reservoir has long been a problem on cars. I remember my father putting one on his new 1967 Malibu, chronic overheater.
I checked and the 1990 Econoline did not come with one. I would add one. Having it allows you to more easily monitor coolant levels, since you can just look at the reservoir, even while the engine is hot, to see if the vehicle is losing coolant. Another symptom you can glean from the overflow is a leak in the coolant system. If the system is not sealed it will not pull water back out of the reservoir as the engine cools down.
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JLP
Social climber
The internet
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Go buy the thermostat, gasket and another jug of coolant and just have it with you in case of emergency in a place (or time) where a decent part is not available. Suggest the next NAPA.
If you are going to J-Tree (?), eventually you are likely to meet someone who might be willing to barter belays or cooking for the work.
+1 for the fact that this could be really simple and done in 5 mins, or 1 frozen bolt could turn it into an epic.
Also - just to be clear - you said your guage is reading high. This means your thermostat has been damaged. There is no other likely cause.
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Juan Maderita
Trad climber
"OBcean" San Diego, CA
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Happie, it seems that our crew here on ST are glad to help out with advice. You can help make it easier for us. A suggestion for the next time you have mechanical problems:
1. Clearly identify the make, model, year, engine, transmission, EFI vs. carbureted, etc., in the original post.
2. Keep it to facts and on topic. Start a separate thread for personal issues.
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neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
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hey there say, happiergirrrl... where are you pulling into, as your:
'i'm here! ' spot..?
hope that somewhere there will take you our for a VICTORY meal, :))
you SURE earned it! as to yourself and winning the ol'
'race to stay afloat' :)
getting my three cheers and more, ready for when you cross the
finish line--course, you MAY just want to go to SLEEP then...perhap
all our cheering would wake you up, ;)
we could keep it at a whisper, ;)
we are all rooting so deeply for you, as you know,
:)
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Vegasclimber
Trad climber
Las Vegas, NV.
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Glad to hear the problem has been fixed for now, and that your pup is doing better.
I'm not sure how much longer you will be traveling before you get to JT, but if you are coming through Vegas I'd be happy to change the thermostat out for you, if you haven't already taken care of it by then.
We will be taking a trip to Josh next month at some point, if you are there by then let's meet up.
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happiegrrrl
Trad climber
www.climbaddictdesigns.com
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Topic Author's Reply - Dec 7, 2012 - 08:12pm PT
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JLP - Noted, and thanks for all your help(eidt - Will pick up those items tomorrow before I continue on)
Juan Madiera - Thank you too. I do apologize for getting personal stuff mixed in. I know not everyone has time, nor desire, to wade through, and especially in something like this where good auto experience is a niche and you want to help with that area you specialize in.
Jeremy - I happen to be in your town tonight, if you live where your profile says. If you'd like we can meet, so I can tell you to bite me in person.
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ruppell
climber
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Jeremy - I happen to be in your town tonight, if you live where your profile says. If you'd like we can meet, so I can tell you to bite me in person.
BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Classic.
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Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
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Jeremy, be a gentleman and meet Terrie (and Teddy) tonight, and buy her a drink (non-alcoholic). But none of that mudpile 'climbing' stuff, eh?
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BLUEBLOCR
Social climber
joshua tree
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Hey HG
NM Cool! Isnt it awesome to drive around and sightsee through states.
I wish I was down there right now I'd love to see some red dirt.
I'm awfully bored of the same ol pale tan dirt here. I'm in need of a road trip.
Anyway, if you can make it to Josh, I can fix ur van lickedy-split.
Jus send me a pm to let me know.
Best Wishes!
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10b4me
Boulder climber
Somewhere on 395
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Jeremy - I happen to be in your town tonight, if you live where your profile says. If you'd like we can meet, so I can tell you to bite me in person.
hahaha.
try and not be an ass Jeremy
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Ken M
Mountain climber
Los Angeles, Ca
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Buy, I sure took a lot of criticism for correctly diagnosing the problem, and suggesting the cheapest solution, in conjunction with the mechanics who actually touched the car.
Don't know that I want to go through this again.
Terry, others who have suggested a little more knowlege of the beast being a good thing seems reasonable. It helps to have some concept of a problem, even if you are taking the beast to a pro.
One book you might consider:
http://www.amazon.com/Auto-Repair-Dummies-Deanna-Sclar/dp/076459902X
I don't know this particular one, but this series is aimed at the novice, and is written by a woman.
(by the way, I don't think you are a dummie, just a novice)
Good luck in your travels.
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JLP
Social climber
The internet
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All of those "general" repair books are a waste of paper.
Chilton and Haynes are only slightly better. However, what happens when you look and realize they didn't document your particular model and year? Suddenly the book has zero value. They're still too general.
The factory tech manual is the only way to go. They're super expensive for some vehicles (Subaru), not written as well as you'd like for others (Mercedes), but most are excellent and highly detailed. They are what the engineers at the factory use to tell the dealer about how to fix your vehicle.
The next best is alldatadiy.com. Of particular value here is the cost and labor estimates.
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