Date:         Mon, 5 Jan 2004 15:09:53 -0500
Reply-To:     Mike Braden <mbraden@PHARMACY.PURDUE.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mike Braden <mbraden@PHARMACY.PURDUE.EDU>
Subject:      '83 Vanagon leaking coolant out of relatively new heads (and
              intro)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

Hello all,

I'm new to the list and first off want to just say hello.  Good to know
there are lists like this still out there. Now to the problem:

I recently did some work on my coolant system (replacing a hose and the
thermostat, cleaning out the rear heat exchanger, new hose clamps, etc.)
on my 1983 VW Vanagon with a 1985 1.9L engine.  After one failed
bleeding of the coolant system (tried to do it by myself), I finally got
the system bled properly and it seemed to be running quite well and at a
lower temp than before.  However, it now seems that I am leaking coolant
out of my head gaskets, primarily the driver's side, but Ive also seen a
drop hanging off the passenger side, and I can smell vaporized coolant
when I park after driving for long enough.  It is a slow leak and I do
not believe it is leaking into the cylinder, as I do not see any white
smoke out the exhaust or have any starting problems.  I am and always
have used phosphate-free coolant.

I have had a similar problem before when I had my thermostat replaced
which resulted in a massive coolant leak out of the head gasket while
~100 miles from home.  After getting the head gaskets replaced, the van
ran slightly hot but with no leaks.  Fortunately this time I identified
the leak before leaving town.  The heads should be relatively new (less
than ~5,000 miles), as the engine was rebuilt several years ago, and
this seems to be a repeat of what happened the last time the thermostat
was replaced.  Im thinking the running with not optimum cooling before
the coolant system is fully bled may do some warping/pulling on the
heads/gaskets.  I got some advice off of usenet that said that trying to
tighten the head bolts is pretty useless, that I probably have pitting
on the heads themselves, but I am reluctant to accept this as I havnt
had any problems up until now.  It is looking like I will at least need
to remove the heads and inspect them and probably replace the gaskets,
but this is not the best time of year for such work (though I guess I
could go buy a space heater).  Is it bad to be driving with this slow
leak (could it cause pitting)?  Should I work on this ASAP?  Am I
doooooomed?  Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated.

aloha
Mike Braden
1983 Vanagon/1985 1.9L engine