Vanagon EuroVan
Previous messageNext messagePrevious in topicNext in topicPrevious by same authorNext by same authorPrevious page (February 2003, week 4)Back to main VANAGON pageJoin or leave VANAGON (or change settings)ReplyPost a new messageSearchProportional fontNon-proportional font
Date:         Tue, 25 Feb 2003 17:46:41 -0500
Reply-To:     Michael Brown <m_brown@COX.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Michael Brown <m_brown@COX.NET>
Subject:      Smoke Help
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

I have an 85 vanagon and has about 145,000. I purchased it about a month ago, so prior history is unknown. I've been driving it around to see any problems it may have. I do notice coolant smell, but am unsure exactly where it is coming from. I don't see any apparent signs of leaking. The engine seems good, appears to run fine, tranny seems good, no oil leaks, etc. Today while driving I started blowing white smoke, by the time I pulled over to check it out it stopped. Drove another 2 miles or so and started again and stopped. I decide to go immediately home (about 4 miles). While driving home I went over a bridge and the smoke came rolling out excessively (James Bond smoke screen thick). By the time I reached the top, the smoke had stopped and the rest of the drive home, there was no more smoke. There seemed to be no apparent loss of power while driving. After I got home, I checked the oil and the level was high. It was a brownish/red color, no foaming.

Does this sound like a head gasket? Why did is smoke intermediately?

Now, I'm thinking of rebuilding the engine. I've rebuild a couple of type 4 air-cooled and this engine doesn't look too much different. I'm debating of whether or not to do a complete rebuild or just do a top end rebuild. Anyway thoughts and suggestions would be kindly appreciated.

Thanks,

Mike


Back to: Top of message | Previous page | Main VANAGON page

Please note - During the past 17 years of operation, several gigabytes of Vanagon mail messages have been archived. Searching the entire collection will take up to five minutes to complete. Please be patient!


Return to the archives @ gerry.vanagon.com


The vanagon mailing list archives are copyright (c) 1994-2011, and may not be reproduced without the express written permission of the list administrators. Posting messages to this mailing list grants a license to the mailing list administrators to reproduce the message in a compilation, either printed or electronic. All compilations will be not-for-profit, with any excess proceeds going to the Vanagon mailing list.

Any profits from list compilations go exclusively towards the management and operation of the Vanagon mailing list and vanagon mailing list web site.