climbski2
Mountain climber
Anchorage AK, Reno NV
|
|
Sweet I'm 2 for 2 on the happiegirl van diagnostics challenges!
All those clunkers over the years were good education.
Still be a good idea to replace that thermostat when you get a chance. Sounds like it's a bit of a pain to do on those vans. But unnless you run into corroded bolts it shouldn't be to tough. Wouldn't pay to have it done. Find a friend who can show you how. Like I said if by any chance you get within a couple hundred miles of Reno I'll be glad to do it.
|
|
Juan Maderita
Trad climber
"OBcean" San Diego, CA
|
|
Great news. The bad radiator cap fully explains the overheating event and symptoms.
The van still needs #2, 3, & 4, referring to my previous post. No rush on installing an expansion tank, but by now you can see why having one is advantageous.
Good luck to you and your pooch as you head west.
|
|
JLP
Social climber
The internet
|
|
New cap installed at probably twice what it would have cost had I done it in the beginning. This sounds like a better mechanic than the last one.
You've gotten away cheap, so far.
You still need a new thermostat!
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.
|
|
hagerty
Social climber
A Sandy Area South of a Salty Lake
|
|
For all those saying how easy it is to replace the thermostat, recall that:
1. it's a 20 year old van, meaning there is the potential for lots of other gotchas - corroded/unmovable bolts, stripped threads, rounded bolt edges, etc. that HG doesn't know how to handle.
2. it's a van - you may have to remove 4 other things first just to get at the thermostat housing. One one of my old vehicles (not a van) I had to remove the fan to gain access to the bolts on the thermostat housing. To get access to the fan and the necessary clearance, I had to remove the radiator. To get at the radiator bolts, I had to remove the front grill. Suddenly an easy job is not so easy.
3. HG has a huge lack of auto repair/preventative maintenance knowledge (which she really needs to seriously address and remedy). Recall that she rejected the idea of the radiator cap being the culprit several times because it "looked fine" to her.
4. It's easy if you have the tools. Does HG have at least this?
|
|
happiegrrrl
Trad climber
www.climbaddictdesigns.com
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 7, 2012 - 01:14pm PT
|
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.
|
|
Captain...or Skully
climber
|
|
Hagerty made a solid, valid point. You need more mechanical knowledge if you're gonna be a Road warrior, Ms. Terrie.
|
|
Jon Beck
Trad climber
Oceanside
|
|
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.
|
|
JLP
Social climber
The internet
|
|
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.
|
|
Juan Maderita
Trad climber
"OBcean" San Diego, CA
|
|
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.
|
|
Jeremy
Social climber
Albuquerque, NM
|
|
Or stop posting threads that NEVER have anything to do with climbing....EVER.
Bandwith is tight in these parts.
|
|
neebee
Social climber
calif/texas
|
|
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,
:)
|
|
Vegasclimber
Trad climber
Las Vegas, NV.
|
|
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.
|
|
happiegrrrl
Trad climber
www.climbaddictdesigns.com
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 7, 2012 - 05:12pm PT
|
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.
|
|
ruppell
climber
|
|
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.
|
|
Mighty Hiker
climber
Vancouver, B.C.
|
|
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?
|
|
BLUEBLOCR
Social climber
joshua tree
|
|
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!
|
|
treez
Trad climber
99827
|
|
I'm a huge fan of the 77-91 Econoline.
Hopefully you are running the good old straight 6 300.
I can tell you for a fact that the thermostat goes at 5.6 in the parking lot of your choice with a leatherman and a rusty adjustable wrench.
Road tripping is so much better when your brights are operated with your bored left foot.
|
|
locker
Social climber
state of Kumbaya...
|
|
"I can tell you for a fact that the thermostat goes at 5.6 in the parking lot of your choice with a leatherman and a rusty adjustable wrench.
Road tripping is so much better when your brights are operated with your bored left foot."...
A couple of good lines...
LOL!!!...
|
|
10b4me
Boulder climber
Somewhere on 395
|
|
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
|
|
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!