Date: Tue, 30 May 2000 23:50:17 EDT
Reply-To: EricJSmall@AOL.COM
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Small <EricJSmall@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: Head gasket replacement cost
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"
Doug wrote:
>>I joined this mail list today but am an owner of an 86 GL of approx 1
month.
XXX
On Friday last week my wife who drives it daily on short jaunts around town
called to say she was 3-4 miles out of town and steam was coming out the
back. I went there and the cooling system seemed to have developed a leak.
The 2 resevoirs in the rear of the vehicle we full, the rear one fuller than
you can manually fill it. The coolant was esdcaping from the hose near the
motor and causing some sort of vacum that caused the water to locate to the
rear resevoirs.
XXX
what I have been studying it seems like it is better to go ahead and do both
sides at the same time.
XXX
Since you are into it what should I look for as far as wear? My compression
rates are between 135-145. Can I get by just doing the gasket set at this
point? The mechanic suggested that it may have got too hot and damaged the
heads
XXX
Also I believe there is supposed to be an electric fan that comes on when
things
get too hot but mine must not be functioning as it never came on. Where is
that
fan located on the van?
XXX
Any info or tips you could give would be greatly appreciated. Unfortunately
this is our family means of conveyance so I don't want to be without for a
long time.
<<
Doug, you definitely want to do both sides at once. First, most good
gasket sets come with components for both sides. Second, most of the work
involved is just getting the engine drained and ready do pull the heads so
you might as well do both sides. Third, I am told that doing just one side
can cause load/performance imbalances between the "new" and "old" sides
causing premature failure of the old side... then your back under the van
(experts might comment on this point further).
Have the heads cleaned and pressure tested for cracks. Also look at the
head-to-block mating surface. If it is pitted or eroded at all you will need
new heads unless you have access to a creative mechanic/machine shop or other
listees who have performed some minor miracles to repair old heads.
Mine never over heated and yours may not have either until it had pushed out
a fair amount of coolant on the day your wife drove it. The condition may
have existed when you bought the van but you never "worked" it enough before
this time(?). As far as your cooling fan... its at the front of the van...
It will only come on if temps at the radiator get to -I think- about 180-190F
depending on the thermo switch installed. I suspect that as in my case the
heating was localized in the engine due to "air" injected by the failed
cylinder. The coolant didn'd circulate as it should and the heat never
reached the radiator.
Being that it is your daily driver I would find an honest and experienced VW
-preferably Vanagon- mechanic and have the job done for you. This won't be
cheap but nobody ever said these vans were cheap to operate. I have spent
over $25,000.USD operating mine for 8 years. The cost per mile is very high
as compared with my other newer cars. But the fun per mile is also very high!
Good Luck.. I hope this helps even a little.
Eric
