Date:         Mon, 27 Nov 2000 21:17:05 -0500
Reply-To:     Bradley Flubacher <flubach@HOME.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bradley Flubacher <flubach@HOME.COM>
Subject:      Re: Leaker!
In-Reply-To:  <NFEMKBKNBNNIKKPPJELNKEINCEAA.flubach@home.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

Is there some kind of additive I can put in my coolant to "seal" up the
crack for a couple months?  At least to eek me through the winter?  I'd love
to be able to buy some time without doing more damage than is already done.

Brad


-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM]On Behalf
Of Bradley Flubacher
Sent: Monday, November 27, 2000 8:28 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Leaker!


('84)
Well, I just took a moment to remove my AFM and air filter housing in order
to take a closer look at what I thought was just a leaking head cap nut.  It
turns out there's a hairline crack between the cap nut hole and the spark
plug hole.  Let me guess-  a classic location for a crack? I'm really
beginning to think the guy unloaded this on me with problems in mind. I'm a
much more well informed consumer now.

If attachments are allowed, I'd be glad to send along a picture or two:  one
of the crack, and one of my garage with a westy diesel that needs a head,
and of my blue beasty that seems to also need a head.

I guess my questions are-
Must I bite the bullet and replace the head?  If so, I assume I can do only
one side.  The other seems fine.  This seems to be the most conservative
route in the sense that I would be guarenteed a long lasting fix.  This
question is where I think an attachment might come in handy.  Any takers?

Would a new replacement head (from, say, Bus Depot) come with the valve
assembly?

Would it be a "technical" welding job to have it fixed?  Costly?  I realize
you can't name numbers, but I suspect one or more of you have had this
experience. Someone sent an email (still have it, thanks!) of someone in TN
that does it for $125.  I wonder if it's THAT big of a project to send it
somewhere for an unknown "specialist" to take care of.

Any and all feedback would be GREATLY appreciated.  I'm at the brink of
insanity with these vanagons.  Neither are running now, and my wife is
getting a bit concerned with the amound of money I've thrown at them so
far...

I must admit, I've seriously considered throwing in the towel on these
things... if they weren't so much fun to drive I probably would've by now.

Thanks,
Bradley Flubacher
State College, PA