Date: Thu, 2 May 2002 10:24:47 -0500
Reply-To: Dart 330 <dart330@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dart 330 <dart330@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject: trip report with engine woes and choices
Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed
Well it has been over a month since I posted to the list, and I finally have
time to discuss my problems.
First off, I drove to Panama City, Florida from Columbia, Missouri the last
week of March which which is a 16 hour drive. The van did great except the
fuel filter started to clog in Alabama, luckily I brought a spare. Every
time we stopped I checked under the van for leaks, topped off the oil and
coolant if necessary. I had a rather high coolant consumption which I
thought was due to air in the system. After a few days down there I go to
gas up and I look underneath to see blue coolant dripping. This bothers me
since I still need to drive 16 hours home. I find the leak is coming from
the rear bottom corner of the right head gasket. I go to the local VW shop
and they said that 9 times out of 10 the gasket isn't going to blow, just
get continually worse. I go and put a big bottle of stop leak in and hope
for the best. On the trip back it appears the stop leak worked, no coolant
drips and no change in the tank level. We made it home just fine, what a
great trip. Then I go camping this weekend and when I went out Monday
morning there is a big blue puddle in the drive.
I have been debating on what choices I have with this Vanagon. I am still
paying off the loan for it, it is the coolest car I have ever owned, and I
love to go camping. I see myself having this van for the rest of my life.
After being on this list for over a year it seems that ever waterboxer leaks
from the heads eventually. Is it true that no matter what, eventually ever
single one will leak sometime down the road? If this is the case, then there
is no hope owning a car for most of your life with an engine problem that
cannot be fixed. If this is the case I see no other alternative then to get
a Tiico. For now I will just do the head till I have the van paid off, but
when it starts leaking again I feel I have no other choice then to go for
the inline-4. I love the boxer engine, if there is a way to make it work I
would love to hear it.
All comments and suggestions are welcome, I need input on deciding my vans
future.
Thanks,
Nathan
85 Westy
60 SO-23
86 Cabriolet
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