Date: Sun, 23 Sep 2001 08:29:41 -0400
Reply-To: Mike Collum <collum@BANGORNEWS.INFI.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mike Collum <collum@BANGORNEWS.INFI.NET>
Subject: Re: head gasket problem ?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Hi Wolfgang,
This may not be your problem, but ......
I just replaced one of my heads and re-sealed the other.
I had similar problems and thought it to be a leaking head gasket. I had done a compression test and found that #1 would not hold
pressure. When I disassembled I noticed that the gaskets didn't indicate that there had been any sort of leak so I had that head
pressure tested at a local machine shop. It failed for #1 cylinder. The crack between the valves was too wide/deep and was where
the combustion gas was getting into the coolant. (The cracks between the valve seats in all other cylinders were very fine and were
no problem)
I got a new head (and gaskets among other stuff) from "Van-again" ... re-assembled and no more coolant problem.
My real message is ... do a compression test. If one or more cylinders won't hold pressure then you're going to have to take it
apart to find out why and repair or replace something. DO have the heads pressure tested before re-using.
Good luck with it,
Mike
'84 GL .... ON THE ROAD AGAIN
----- Original Message -----
From: "wolfgang" <wolfgang@PIPELINE.COM>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, September 21, 2001 8:36 AM
Subject: head gasket problem ?
> I've got an 88 Westy that I've had for about 3 months. I'm the
> second owner. It's got 120,000 miles on the clock. Got all service
> records from previous owner and it had a head gasket job done at
> around 80,000.
>
> So I just drove it locally (with no problems) until two weeks ago.
> Then we made our first road trip in it for a round trip of around 600
> miles. About 100 miles from home, the red overheat light starts
> blinking. But the needle is only halfway, like pointing at the light. I
> pulled over, shut it down, and looked for a busted hose or broken
> belt. But there is no sign of a problem, no leak. Started it up to
> see if it squirted anywhere, but no leak, belt is turning water pump,
> and now the light is off. So I thought it was a fluke and went on.
>
> Not long after, the light comes on again. This time, I notice the
> reservoir is full - the one behind the license plate. The other
> coolant tank has an air pocket. So I get a water bottle, slowly
> loosen the cap, let out the pressure and top it off. Then I go on the
> rest of the way (200 more miles) with no problem.
>
> This same thing happened once on the way back. But the needle
> never gets any higher than pointing at the light. So I'm wondering
> what's going on. I'm no expert, but I think I suspect what's going
> on. Could the head gasket be slowly leaking combustion gases
> into the water jacket ? I don't know if this is possible since I don't
> know if coolant pressures would be higher than combustion
> chamber pressures (I suspect not).
>
> Anyway, I wonder if anyone's seen this before. I know that the
> waterboxer head gasket can be a problem with leaking coolant, but
> this is a little different. If it is the problem, should I expect to need
> new heads or just a new gasket ?
>
> Thanks!
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