Date:         Fri, 16 Feb 2001 19:15:56 -0500
Reply-To:     =David-M= <dmc@CYBURBAN.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         =David-M= <dmc@CYBURBAN.COM>
Organization: .
Subject:      HELP! - I have a dripping Vanagon in Phoenix, AZ
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

The moment has arrived, my normally reliable '87 Vanagon has a coolant
drip. I bought the van 2 years ago with a newly rebuilt engine (both
heads) and I've done less than 10k miles since then.
I first noticed the flashing red light 2 days ago.
The red light comes on within 1-2 miles of starting off. The temp gauge
hovers around 1/2 for 2-3 miles then creeps up to 2/3.
My journey to and from work is around 5 miles each way and takes around
35 mins (Phoenix traffic!).
I'm losing about a pint of coolant (rough estimate) per day. I was a
quart down on oil when I checked the coolant. I have looked underneath
but cannot tell exactly where the drip is coming from. It is dripping
onto what looks like a rubber boot at the inner end of the driver side
axle shaft. Thats as best as I can tell.
Could this be a coolant hose, or something more serious like a cylinder
head?
Any tips on Vanagon mechanics in Phoenix, AZ? I just moved here and know
zero.
I am not a mechanic and I live in an apartment complex where working on
vehicles in not allowed.
I love my van and need to get it back on the road as soon as possible
since its my only vehicle and I've just started a new job and have no
other way of getting to it than this.
I've been getting around 10-12 mpg, is this normal?
Any help and advice will be most appreciated.

- David