Date:         Wed, 30 Apr 2003 12:30:16 EDT
Reply-To:     JordanVw@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         JordanVw@AOL.COM
Subject:      Re: Head Gaskets: Fall Leaky; Spring No Leaky
Comments: To: hradek@YAHOO.COM
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 4/30/03 12:13:27 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
hradek@YAHOO.COM writes:


> 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
>

if you have a minor head leak, its always going to leak when the outside temp
is cold rather than warm.   expansion contraction thing.  i wouldnt worry
about it now, or postpone any trips because of it, but definately be saving
for a head gasket job- usually @ $300 a side. i drove my van for 2 yrs w/ a
weepy head gasket, just weeped in the winter, not in the summer, till i had
the head gasets replaced. just keep an eye on both coolant tank levels.
chris