Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2003 09:10:00 -0700
Reply-To: gary hradek <hradek@YAHOO.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: gary hradek <hradek@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Head Gaskets: Fall Leaky; Spring No Leaky
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii
Kevin,
If you are running phosphate free coolant I think
it is ok to drive with this type of leak. It will
get worse. I think I had a leak like this for
several years. It could become a problem in very hot
weather if the gasket goes all at once. If you are
running green coolant I would change it as soon as you
have the time. I think that when you have a leak with
phosphate based coolant you degrade the head sooner.
regards gary
Date: Sun, 27 Apr 2003 17:01:43 -0700
From: Kevin Mulligan <mulligan_kevin@YAHOO.COM>
Subject: Head Gaskets: Fall Leaky; Spring No Leaky
Hi all,
Question for the group: what should a conscientous
vanagon owner do, if anything, about minor weeeping of
coolant from the head gaskets?
Details below.
First-time vanagon owner, 1990 Westy, 127k miles.
Bought vehicle in September of 2002 after an
inspection and compression check. Good compression, no
head gasket leaks.
Immedately after purchasing vehicle, I drove it 1,000
miles home to Minneapolis with no coolant loss at all.
Beginning in late fall when temp dropped below
freezing at night, I noticed small amounts of coolant
leaking from the vehicle onto the garage floor. I let
the vehicle sit all winter, starting it every month or
so.
Now that it's springtime, I added about 8 ounces of
coolant to the overflow reservoir to bring it past the
minimum mark. I've started the vehicle twice now in
warm weather (50-70 F), both times bringing it up to
operating temperature and then taking short drives
around the hood. On both occasions, it has not lost
any coolant. That's right; no leaks.
Question 1: should I be worried about taking the
vehicle on any extended trips, or is mild head gasket
weeping at sub-freezing temps nothing to get alarmed
about for summertime driving?
Question 2: Given the engine's propensity to weep
coolant at low ambient temperatures, when would it be
prudent to replace the head gaskets? a) immediately,
b) within 5,000 miles, c) only when you consistently
see puddles of coolant under the engine.
- Kevin
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
The New Yahoo! Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo.
http://search.yahoo.com