Coolant expansion tank completely empty.

[Mr Bean]

Being nosey I notice you never mentioned when you last checked your coolant level. I would suggest it be checked fairly regularly in the normal course of events and defo before a longish journey. lack of coolant can cause as much damage as lack of oil.
Sorry if teaching granny to suck eggs .

[TONYT25T25]

Just seen this link on an earlier forum which may come in handy as part of the fault diagnosis.

https://youtu.be/RT8Ew43mNg4

Thought I would add in the tradition of teaching granny to suck eggs, ensure cap is clean and clear of AF before testing.


 

[Gingermagic]

Being nosey I notice you never mentioned when you last checked your coolant level. I would suggest it be checked fairly regularly in the normal course of events and defo before a longish journey. lack of coolant can cause as much damage as lack of oil.
Sorry if teaching granny to suck eggs .

Hi MrBean,
I've only had the van about 4 months, but I've checked the refill tank (behind the licence plate) before each trip.
That wasn't very useful in this case though, as the level in the refill tank has been around the Max line throughout.
It doesn't seem to be feeding the main tank.

[Gingermagic]

They won’t draw back if there is a massive airlock, air just cools and doesn’t really get much smaller , so the vacuum isn’t there in simple terms to suck the coolant back .... 

Thanks Mocki,

Hopefully that's what the problem was. I'll check the Darlek cap (just seen this video for a quick test - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RT8Ew43mNg4) and bleed the radiator later today.

[Gingermagic]

Just seen this link on an earlier forum which may come in handy as part of the fault diagnosis.

https://youtu.be/RT8Ew43mNg4

Thought I would add in the tradition of teaching granny to suck eggs, ensure cap is clean and clear of AF before testing.

I don't know what AF is Tony, but thatnks for video. That's an easy way to test the Darlek cap. I'll try it later today.

Cheers,
Damian
 

[TONYT25T25]

Hello, AF (Anti Freeze) probably better if I  referred to it  as coolant. Let us know if the test works.

[937carrera]

This is a dalek



This is a dalek hat



and this is a dalek cap, well, two of them





Sorry, the r was getting to me

[TONYT25T25]

Exterminate, Exterminate, Exterminate.

[Gingermagic]

I just did the Dalek test.

Blowing into the little tube seemed to let air through slowly (no trumpet sound).

Sucking seemed to let air though quicker (not blocked).

So, I guess I need a new Dalek cap. Where can I get one? I just did a search for Dalek cap on Amazon and found myself in a world of Dr.Who.

Ore urgently than that ...
Is it OK to drive the van with the current Dalek cap?
My wife and I were going to go away for the night, in the van, tomorrow.

Fingers crossed,
Damian

[Oldiebut goodie]

Brickwerks, Brickwerks, Brickwerks. 1st and others after. Fit what works not some Chinese knockoff from Amazon/Ebay ( good stuff available there if you know what you are buying though )

https://www.brickwerks.co.uk/header-tan ... 3-oem.html

[937carrera]

First port of call for t25 stuff should be Brickwerks

https://www.brickwerks.co.uk/index.php/header-tank-cap-t3-oem.html

These are OEM manufacturer, slightly different shape. The genuine VW ones don't seem to be available any more.

More here https://www.brickwerks.co.uk/brickwerks-blog/tales-from-the-workshop/

[Mocki]

In answer to your second ore urgent question , as long as you are not going far , not anticipating and major traffic jams , and are fully away of the fact it will need the engine lid taking off and refilling every time you let the engine go cold , then you may well be ok to drive it , gently .... not preferable , but if you must . 

[TONYT25T25]

Your call for sure, keeping a close eye on the temperature gauge and flashing red light.

[jrt]

You could pick one up from GSF as a stop gap.
David.

[Gingermagic]

OK,

So filled the Dalek cap tank to the brim (squeezed every pipe I could get my hand on as part of this), put it back on and reattached the pipe.
I then took the van for a drive. 15 minutes or so. 3 or 4 miles.
I looked all around for leaks, but didn't see anything.
Left it to cool and then took another look.

When I took the Dalek cap back off, there was a small hiss of air and the level went down to here ...



I've squeezed the pipes again and refilled.

I couldn't do the whole bleeding process because I was on my own.

How is this seeming? Do you think that a new Dalek cap will sort me out, or do you think that there's a bigger problem?

Thanks again for this,
Damian