Date:         Wed, 22 Aug 2001 17:30:59 EDT
Reply-To:     VW85Westy@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Peter Krogh <VW85Westy@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Coolant level rising.
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Hello list,
I'm writing because I'm having disturbing signs from my brand new (4500 mi)
AVP rebuild.

This motor has always given me more temperture fluctuations than my previous
one, but didn't start to really worry me until a few hundred miles ago.
After a 60 mile drive, I saw coolant in the fill tank up over the top of the
removable cap (several inches above the Max line.)  I know this to be a
symptom of blown head gasket.

Anyway, I tried to bleed the system, but I've never had any confidence in
this procedure.  I searched the archives and found someone's suggestion of
incremental bleeding of the radiator while hot.  I would drive a while, park
the van on an uphill slope, turn off, and open the bleeder screw just enough
to let the air out, and close when it ran coolant only, no air.  After 6 or 7
cycles of this, no more air was coming out.  Moreover, when the engine
cooled, the coolant was excatly where it was supposed to be.

Cut to next day, after 15 minute highway drive, coolant level inching back u
p, even after the engine cools.  After a few more drives I bleed again and
get more air.

I'm going to have the coolant sniffed for exhause gasses, if I can tomorrow,
and see what I find out.  I guess that would really tell me what's up.

I'm looking for any other suggestions on what to check for.  Any other places
this air could be coming from?

I am supposed to take the family on 1600 mile round trip drive next Monday to
North Carolina Mountains, and am starting to get nervous.  AVP will be back
in the shop tomorrow, so I will get feedback from them then, I hope. Any
information from the list appreciated.
Peter & Zippy