Date:         Tue, 9 Sep 2003 11:55:10 -0400
Reply-To:     Kenneth Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Kenneth Wilford <kenwilfy@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: Coolant Leaking, ok to drive?
Comments: To: shawn luft <shawnagan@SYMPATICO.CA>
In-Reply-To:  <3E96A24D.2823E228@sympatico.ca>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

It is very hard to say "Yes" unless you can identify the source of the leak.
It could just be a small and inexpensive hose or seal.  Try to find the
source.  If it is head gaskets, again this is a crap shoot.  They could seep
for years or blow tomorrow if they are already leaking.  Usually if you take
the tin covers off of the bottom of the motor and look at the push rod area
of the head you can see if the gasket looks split (immediate failure mode)
or just wet.  If it is just wet you may get away with some Aluma-seal as a
temporary fix, but again this is at your our risk.

Hope this helps,
Ken Wilford
John 3:16
http://www.vanagain.com
http://www.strictlyvwauctions.com
Phone: (856)-327-4936
Fax: (856)-327-2242

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com]On Behalf
Of shawn luft
Sent: Friday, April 11, 2003 7:09 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Coolant Leaking, ok to drive?


Hello

I recently purchased a nice little '86 Camper GL, however I see there is
small drops of radiator coolant accumulating underneath the engine.

I am familiar with the head problems as per vanagon.com, however can you
all please share your feeling on this with me.  Is it ok to keep driving
for a bit?  Can I leave for summer vacation with a slow coolant leak?
How 'deadly' is this problem, if you keep the coolant levels filled?

I'd appreciate any feedback on this, as it's a new issue to me!

Thanks,
Shawn
'73 Campmobile
'86 Camper GL