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Water System - I need to see a complete one
Posted: 23 Feb 2012, 07:12
by minilawz
Posting here as directed.
Hi there
I have just purchased a 1986 water cooled camper,not in too bad shape.Drove it home and it all seemed fine.
My problem is the water system. there seem to be a lot of pipes in the engine bay that go nowhere or no pipes at all.
I was wondering if there is any one in the Gatwick Surrey/Sussex are who has one I could look at as the Haynes manual is not too helpful.
I have also looked on the VW heratige site but there are so many hoses Im not sure what I need.
I hope to take it to Europe in May so need to get it sorted soon. Cheers
Re: Water System - I need to see a complete one
Posted: 23 Feb 2012, 07:21
by kevtherev
just take a good picture of your engine bay and post it here
1986 was cross over year for cooling systems, so we'd need to see what's what.
something like this
this is mine and is a 1986 2.1 DJ
Re: Water System - I need to see a complete one
Posted: 23 Feb 2012, 07:26
by minilawz
Will try and get some photos taken, Im away with work till next wed so dont have any
Re: Water System - I need to see a complete one
Posted: 23 Feb 2012, 18:02
by croc
Hi
In the photo by kevtherev it shows the later system.
If you look at the left side of the engine (in kev's photo) find the largish black pipe which points toward the distributor then curves around and disappears forward.
If you identify this in his photo and yours is the same then yours is also the later. (Take little notice of the other engine bits, its a slightly different engine.)
If yours has TWO large rubber hoses following more or less the same route, as the single shiny black pipe, then yours is the earlier system.
Do some research on coolant requirements and bleeding procedure for these, both versions, as its very important to get it right. They need about 18 litres!
BTW kev, nice clean unit!!
jon
Re: Water System - I need to see a complete one
Posted: 23 Feb 2012, 18:22
by kevtherev
thanks..
once the oil leaks are gone then it pretty much just needs a wet rag now and again
Re: Water System - I need to see a complete one
Posted: 24 Feb 2012, 08:34
by minilawz
Heres a couple of pictures of my engine
i was wondering if anyone would know what/where the pipe with the bolt goes/does in the second picture
thank you for your help
Re: Water System - I need to see a complete one
Posted: 24 Feb 2012, 08:54
by NicBeeee
Hi
Although I am not familiar with automatic gearbox set ups, I believe they are meant to have an additional transmission fluid cooler. Just guessing as it seems to be heading in that direction. If your is not an auto then maybe its been changed from one.
Nic
Re: Water System - I need to see a complete one
Posted: 24 Feb 2012, 16:58
by Graham81
Maybe a heater matrix pipe, does the heater work?
Re: Water System - I need to see a complete one
Posted: 24 Feb 2012, 17:04
by kevtherev
yes at some point this Auyo trans cooler has been disconnected
Re: Water System - I need to see a complete one
Posted: 24 Feb 2012, 17:16
by NicBeeee
Guess my luck must be in, must remember to enter the lotto this weekend. Just one more thing, what are the two Elephant trunks at the bottom right hand side of the engine compartment for

Re: Water System - I need to see a complete one
Posted: 24 Feb 2012, 17:22
by kevtherev
lpg feed?
Re: Water System - I need to see a complete one
Posted: 24 Feb 2012, 17:31
by NicBeeee
Why did I imagine LPG pipes to be a lot smaller than that, cheers Kev
Re: Water System - I need to see a complete one
Posted: 24 Feb 2012, 17:48
by kevtherev
they are.... Maybe they are insulated
Re: Water System - I need to see a complete one
Posted: 24 Feb 2012, 19:01
by minilawz
thanks for the diagram 'kevtherv' and all the other suggestions from ppl .
Im not sure what the two pipes are in the right hand corner 'elephant trunks

' they are both cut off and just laying there, they look to be just air pipes as are made from fabric material not rubber like water pipes.
I'm not sure if the heater works ' Gramham81' as i have only had it running when i bought it. Would people just suggest to flush the water system and refill and see if the heater system and engine coolant tempture work probably and has no leaks ?
thanks
Re: Water System - I need to see a complete one
Posted: 24 Feb 2012, 21:30
by Graham81
I only mentioned heater as I thought that pipe could possibly be one of the supplys to it but Kevs diagram reveals all!