Date:         Sat, 14 Aug 2004 10:47:30 -0700
Reply-To:     Joel VanderKwaak <kwaak@PANGEA.STANFORD.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Joel VanderKwaak <kwaak@PANGEA.STANFORD.EDU>
Subject:      head gaskets, my turn
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii; format=flowed

Howdy,

Joy, joy, I found a puddle of coolant under my engine this morning :(
The van is a '91 with just over 80K miles. I'm scheduled to take a 4000
mile drive to Northern BC beginning Labour Day. I do not have enough
free time to tinker myself, so I'll need professional help (as will the
van).

So, a couple questions:
(1) what's a typical SF Bay area cost for an engine coolant leak triage
and head gasket replacement
(2) if that cost is high, should I bite the bullet and just swap in a
rebuilt engine

Up until this morning the van ran exceptionally well. I've been putting
alot of miles on it since taking a job with a 100+ mile round-trip
commute two months ago.

Thanks,

Joel