EJ25 DOHC Syncro Heating at 0mph

[bikermike87]

Hi,

So... really silly to buy a non standard bus when im a novice, but you have to learn somewhere!!

My van gets up to temp fine and the heaters work perfectly

but...

When i left my engine running (gf in van) the heaters started blowing cold and the engine temp gauge was creeping up. I drove the van up the road and the heat started again and the engine starting coming back down to normal temp.

I didn't get chance to check the radiator fan was coming on, could that be my problem? Would that problem cause cold air too?

[Aidan]

it's because the demand from the heater is causing the thermostat to close, it's an issue with scooby in T3 installation it requires good plumbing of bypass, twin heater van would be worse
I'm looking at using the turbo water pump with the second inlet higher in the bodyfurther from thermostat closer to pump impeller) to minimise this happening, other alternative is a spacer for the thermostat which the canadians came up with

[bikermike87]

Wow thanks for that Aidan. That's really useful. Not much I can do without further mods I suppose.

The gf can sit in a cold van if I nip in the shops

[silverbullet]

Have a word with Axeman (Neil) about all this. He 's had a few cooling/heating issues with my old EJ22 which I think are now all sorted. All problems were down to iffy plumbing, it's all about the heater bypass and fitting suitable flow restrictors to keep the water going to the rad, not round and round the bypass/heater(s)

http://subaruvanagon.com/tom/ts_conversion.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[bikermike87]

thanks for that link, it's got a lot of info about subaru set up, most of it went over my head though

With regards to my temp gauge shooting up, is that because the temp gauge takes a reading from the radiator and the water isn't being pumped fast enough, making it appear hot?

It's really odd... My temp gauge shoots up but the radiator fan doesnt come one and my heating goes cold. But my radiator fan does come on automatically (which correlates more to my oil temp gauge).

Confused

[silverbullet]

Depends how well (or badly) the coolant plumbing was converted. Temp gauge should come off the sensor on engine coolant manifold (across top of block, under inlet manifold) The Subaru temp sender makes the VW gauge read wrong unless there is a resistor in the line to correct/fudge the reading.
The fan is triggered by a switch in the rad, unless ECU controlled (unlikely)
Axeman sorted all the problems with my ex-TSR 2wd conversion when he put it into a syncro, basically there was no thermostat fitted I never checked it and the heater/bypass plumbing was rubbish, so not enough got up to the radiator. It did have some odd problems, not unlike yours. Have a word with him, he's a good lad

PS The EJ22 was in our first bus too and it was a SA-built small window, for good measure!

PPS Ask around on the VWKD Subaru forum, starting off with as much as you know about the conversion i.e. who did it, what parts used etc. Post up pics of things like the bellhousing and engine support bar to help identifiation, if you don't know!

[syncroandy]

I use the Subaru 4-pin sender for my gauge, plus a 68ohm correction resistance. The gauge reads v. close to engine temp seen by the ECM.
The rad fan is switched using the ECM.

[bikermike87]

Thanks. Unfortunately, many of this goes over me, I just about managed to work out my old 2.1dj using bentley as a bible. It's a shame there is no bible for my personal conversion and in the hands of a novice, very time consuming (which equals less time using it).

Very tempting to opt for a drive in, drive out service with someone, using my existing parts (which should keep costs down) and maybe chuck in a new engine and loom for good measure. Leaving a spare engine in the kitchen to learn!

[silverbullet]

OK. Whack up some pictures and we'll do our best to identify what you've got, it's probably just in need of a little "tweaking" rather than a complete re-work.

My Subaru days are over but it's hard to forget lessons hard learned!

[axeman]

i think that main points have been covered in this thread, i finished our ej22 conversion around a month ago, on the first outing it would not get up too temp the heater was tepid. coolant was pupping around the header tank like a whirlpool.and using too much fuel (running a bit rich (sooty tail pipe) i started with the stat, it turned out that there was no stat, which was a bit of a shock.
as for the cooling system i used the rjes kit, which i though was a bit pricey until the kit arrived. you have every thing thats needed, and gauge of the hoses is very thick.
i used the vw temp sender in the manifold and it reads bang on the led at 80c.
i dont think that the reversed manifold is 100% nessacary but it dose clean up the look in the engine bay.

as said post up some picks so we can have a look for you,

neil

[bikermike87]

I was trying to find the very extensive folder full of receipts, but it's packed away..

Pretty sure it's RJES and smallcar used for oil sump?!

[silverbullet]

Yep thats one of rjes exhausts and engine bars with a smallcar sump.
Was this a diy conversion by PO? Nasty routing of ecu cables out of corner of hatch, if you'll pardon me saying.

[silverbullet]

Hang about...is this a 16" multivan with aircon and lights let into the ducting?
Rear discs by "dubious of devon"?

[bikermike87]

Hang about...is this a 16" multivan with aircon and lights let into the ducting?
Rear discs by "dubious of devon"?

Correct

DIY conversion, wiring does need a nice installation.

[syncroandy]