Date:         Sat, 31 Mar 2001 17:16:06 EST
Reply-To:     Trawlertom@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Thomas Ryan <Trawlertom@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Coolant System Pressurization Woes
Content-Type:  text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

So here's the thing.

About 15 months ago I changed out the 300K engine on my 1989 GL 'cause I was
suffering from a lack of confidence in an engine that was so old and that I
have to take far into the desert. Big mistake!

My mechanic, in whom I've developed some confidence over the years, assured
me that the new engine was coming from a highly reliable rebuilder whom he
personally knew. Turned out there were some logistic screw-ups and I ended up
with an engine from a big production house in SoCal. GEX or GTX or something
like that.

So after about 3000 miles I was introduced to the dreaded blinking red
coolant light and the causative coolant system pressurization. We weren't, at
that time (or all through the year 2000) familiar with this list and all of
the collective wisdom resident thereon so we groped along for the rest of the
year trying to figure out what was going on; changing out parts, and putting
more miles on the machine as the symptoms became progressively more frequent.

Finally the problem was properly (I think) diagnosed as a leaky head which
was pressurizing the coolant system. By then, of course, we had run out of
warranty but were able to get two new (rebuilt) heads provided by the
rebuilder.

With new heads installed  all was fine for another 3000 miles. Then the
blinking red light and pressurized coolant system is back! As in the previous
months of the problem, with the old (new) heads,  the pressurization at first
occurs only sporadically; usually after a prolonged period of driving and
then following a short stop.

We are currently communicating with the rebuilder but there are many reasons
why I expect that there will not be any relief there.

I need to find some maintenance procedure that will resolve this problem and
get me my old vanagon back. I'm beginning to suspect that the problem may be
in the match between the head and the cylinder. Scott Foss alluded to this
possibility in his 3-19 message. If such is the case I'm not sure of my best
course of action. My recent arrival to this list has made me a lot better
informed about the problem but not much better informed about a solution.

Perhaps, my only recourse would be to buy a new engine from this guy Boston
Bob,who seems to enjoy so much respect among listees.

All technical or philosophical advice would be welcome. The vanagon is
currently in the shop. I'm driving my mechanic's diesel rabbit. I don't want
to have to buy a new car cause the vanagon is just too cool but I need
relatively dependable wheels.

Wadaya think?