Air-Cooled Vs. Water-Cooled

Zen · « **on:** May 11, 2007, 03:09:29 PM »

Just a general observation . . . Water-Cooled VW engines, for the most part, have more power, are more durable, use fuel more economically, are quieter, produce more reliable heat, leak less oil, etc., etc., etc. than their older air-cooled siblings . . . but I've never had to change a water pump or fix a water leak on an air-cooled engine. Air-Cooled Engines Rock! :wink:

Bugnut · « **Reply #1 on:** May 11, 2007, 05:42:12 PM »

Real men drive air cooled dang it!!! This last year I have pulled up on the death of 2 different water cooled vw's in my 67.Both were cooling problems gone bad. Air cooled aint no pic nic but after awhile the signs are easier to read on it. Plus no new fangled computers and wiring boxes to deal with.

Would ya like some water,no thanks I'll have the tea Please. :lol:

Ret.Bugtech · « **Reply #2 on:** May 12, 2007, 02:07:58 PM »

I love it when grown men come to their sences. Can you say Amen
The only problem I have ever had with a water thing on my bug was when I blew up my window washer tank on my brand new '61 Bug with a air hose. Remember those ? I didn't even have a tiny little voice come from under the dash somewhere speaking in a mono-tone accent reminding me that I had done a terrible Boo-Boo to my W/tank. :lol: :lol:

Gobusgo · « **Reply #3 on:** May 13, 2007, 01:23:51 AM »

Zen, the topic of this post here is similar to the theme of my next article. Funny how that is...

Zen · « **Reply #4 on:** May 16, 2007, 01:02:44 AM »

I've replaced the water pump and thermostat. That didn't help much. I back-flushed the radiator and got it down from running on the edge of the red to not quite on the red. It had some kind of grey gooey fiber stuff that came out when I back-flushed it. I've also got a new radiator fan switch that is supposed to kick in at a slighty lower temp than the stock one, but that won't really help much 'cause it doesn't start heating up until you get out on the road and open it up . . . I'm guessing the radiator is still partially stopped up. After 3 attempts at stopping the water leak around the radiator neck with new soilder, I have thrown in the towel and ordered a new radiator . . . I just hope it really fits. If it does, that should cure the rest of my leaks AND the rest of the heat problems . . . except for the heater not having a control valve . . . but I've got hope for that! I just found a lot of 39 of the correct heater control valves on eBay . . . with a day left, I have the high bid at $5 and some change . . . I don't know what I'll do with the other 38, but it sure will be nice to be able to turn the heat off without having to completely bypass the heater.

Who knows . . . someday I might have all the water related issues fixed! But then, there are a lot of scarey looking hoses under the hood . . . who knows what will happen if all the leaks get sealed! :shock:

Like I said before . . . Air-Cooled Engines Rock! :wink:

certdubtech · « **Reply #5 on:** May 17, 2007, 10:48:17 AM »

Yes. it is true.
I love my bugs, all of them....
I love my bus....
I've enjoyed owning and driving all of the air-cooled cars I've owned...
But..............................

My Golf has never:
1. left me beside the road with a seized generator.
2. caused my knucles to turn purple while driving down the road in the dead of winter.
3. Failed to start because of crappy wiring
4. Failed to stop when I really needed to. (the red warning light isn't necessary, I figured out something was wrong, thanks.)
5. formed ice on the inside of the windshield that you have to scrape off while driving
6. exposed me to carbon monoxide fumes
7. broken a v-belt (which will also leaves you beside the road)
8. broken a clutch (2) or an accelerator (6) cable.
9. caused me to be the recipient of a blowing horn and the obligatory bird finger on the highway
10. does not require a crap ton of tools and spare parts to go on a 30 minute trip.

On the other hand, my little Golf has wonderful a/c, a cook you out of the car heater, soothing heated seats, nice sound system, smoother, quieter, more reliable highway cruising speeds (it actually attains them), handles well, doesn't have to downshift to go up a damned hill.

All of that said, I love my bugs, but come December they will be getting dusty sitting in the driveway.

Love you all,
mean it....

I think I'm gonna go start my car and crank up the a/c right now.

Oh, by the way, did I mention when I get somewhere, I don't smell like a rich running carb.?/

Ret.Bugtech · « **Reply #6 on:** May 17, 2007, 11:14:21 AM »

Jezzzz ! You must live a very boring life Grasshopper. Have you already lost the feeling of adventure at your young age ?
Just wait until your Golf gets the age of some of these Bugs/Vans that are still running despite of their short comings . Your Golf will more than likey be recyled into pots and pans by then or just some pile of scap metal hauled away by some old Dude in a Type-2 pick-up. :lol: :lol:
(I like goodies also,but can't afford them ?)

certdubtech · « **Reply #7 on:** May 17, 2007, 11:34:11 AM »

Oh, no...my life is far from boring. In fact, just the opposite. I don't have time for all of the silly little adventures. I'm a busy man. Granted, by the time my Golf reaches the age of these air-cooled guys, I won't be owning it, in fact it will have probably been recycled by then. My '62 and both '64s will probably still be on the roads with me at the helm (unless it's winter time)
Oh, and by the way....
Katie's favorite is my new addition, the blue '62.
Emilee's is the '69 bus.
But they never complain about being too hot or cold in the Golf.

Zen · « **Reply #8 on:** May 18, 2007, 05:35:22 AM »

:x Well, back to the drawing board. The radiator placed called and said that even though they show the Dasher radiator as a "good part number" they can't get it. Oh well, it's probably for the best. Their supplier was an aftermarket manufacturer in Brazil. I also forgot to go back a raise my bid on the 39 Dasher heater controls . . . got outbid by 50 cents. ](*,)

Guess I'm in the market for a good radiator shop. Any recomendations anyone?

Zen · « **Reply #9 on:** May 18, 2007, 05:44:27 AM »

Quote from: "certdubtech"

My Golf has never:
1. left me beside the road with a seized generator.
2. caused my knucles to turn purple while driving down the road in the dead of winter.
3. Failed to start because of crappy wiring
4. Failed to stop when I really needed to. (the red warning light isn't necessary, I figured out something was wrong, thanks.)
5. formed ice on the inside of the windshield that you have to scrape off while driving
6. exposed me to carbon monoxide fumes
7. broken a v-belt (which will also leaves you beside the road)
8. broken a clutch (2) or an accelerator (6) cable.
9. caused me to be the recipient of a blowing horn and the obligatory bird finger on the highway
10. does not require a crap ton of tools and spare parts to go on a 30 minute trip.

You never watched McGuyver as a kid did you? :lol: :lol: :lol:

All joking aside . . . dollar for dollar, this is one of the best cars I've ever bought. It's already saved me enough gas to more than pay for itself! I just wish I could find parts for it when I need them.

certdubtech · « **Reply #10 on:** May 18, 2007, 09:08:20 AM »

I've used Southern Auto Radiator on Broad St a bunch of times to treat/ seal bug and bus gas tanks, they've done a great job on those. They've always been good about messing with the stuff nobody else will. Never tried 'em for radiators, you might try calling them
423 267 4988 or 423 267 5444
They're located on Broad very close to where the highway passes over, on the downtown side.

The heated seats felt great on the way to work this moring.
I think I'm becoming a softy.

Ret.Bugtech · « **Reply #11 on:** May 18, 2007, 09:18:25 AM »

You are not a softy !! Just a red-headed Wimp. Are you sure that the "Bun Warmers" are not a elect. problem ? It is a Golf you know. :lol:

certdubtech · « **Reply #12 on:** May 18, 2007, 09:51:37 AM »

Electrical problems?

?
On a water cooled VW???
You must be joking......
oh, uh, never mind.
Shuttin up

Actually, there was a "Campaign Circular" issued a while back for Jetta and Passat models that dealt with faulty seat heaters. They were actually working a little too well. They would overheat, usually on the side bolsters, and burn little holes in the seat upholstery, and potentially the person's leg who was sitting in the seat.

I guess you can't be perfect....or sometimes even in the remote vicinity of it.

Bugnut · « **Reply #13 on:** May 18, 2007, 06:07:41 PM »

Rick I can help you with #9 on the list. :lol:

dubtech · « **Reply #14 on:** May 19, 2007, 01:56:55 PM »

Not saying that the aircooled cars are slow but according to this commercial there are two ways to make a VW go 225 km/h.

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Topic: Air-Cooled Vs. Water-Cooled (Read 7513 times)

Zen

Air-Cooled Vs. Water-Cooled

Bugnut

Air-Cooled Vs. Water-Cooled

Ret.Bugtech

Air-Cooled Vs. Water-Cooled

Gobusgo

Air-Cooled Vs. Water-Cooled

Zen

Air-Cooled Vs. Water-Cooled

certdubtech

Air-Cooled Vs. Water-Cooled

Ret.Bugtech

Air-Cooled Vs. Water-Cooled

certdubtech

Air-Cooled Vs. Water-Cooled

Zen

Air-Cooled Vs. Water-Cooled

Zen

Air-Cooled Vs. Water-Cooled

certdubtech

Air-Cooled Vs. Water-Cooled

Ret.Bugtech

Air-Cooled Vs. Water-Cooled

certdubtech

Air-Cooled Vs. Water-Cooled

Bugnut

Air-Cooled Vs. Water-Cooled

dubtech

Air-Cooled Vs. Water-Cooled

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