Date:         Mon, 21 Aug 2000 08:27:51 -0700
Reply-To:     "Greenamyer, William L" <William.Greenamyer@West.Boeing.com>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Greenamyer, William L" <William.Greenamyer@West.Boeing.com>
Subject:      Found my leak
Content-Type: text/plain

Had some time this weekend and checked out a leak that seemed to start a
month ago.  Under the #3 and #4 spark plugs, there appears to be cracks in
the head the come out and then go for a ways at about 45 degrees towards the
front on plug 3 and towards the back on plug 4.  The crack at plug 3 is the
one that is leaking but I would expect the one at plug 4 to start at any
time if it starts leaking.  This brings up some questions since this is the
first time that I have checked into this type of problem.  Prior to this,
the cracks were inside and outside and we had the engine replaced.
(Possibly a big mistake because the engine was actually in good condition.)
Since being on this list, I have learned a lot but never expected to have to
do heads this soon after the engine replacement (4 years and 43K miles ago).

1)  Is this type of crack characteristic for a Vanagon WB head (2.1)?
2)  Will stop leak solve the problem for the time being?  Is there a problem
with driving under this condition?
3)  All other aspects of the head appear good.  #4 cylinder is lower than
the others but up until a month ago, there had been no coolent loss.  What
kind of a failure mode am I looking at?
4)  If I decide to replace the head, should both sides be done?  There
appear to be no problems with the other side at this time.
5)  Rather than building up a new head, do they come assemblied (valves,
lifters, etc)?
6)  What am I looking at from a cost standpoint?

William