Date:         Mon, 31 Jan 2005 08:40:04 -0500
Reply-To:     Michael Amato <amatoclinic@NTELOS.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Michael Amato <amatoclinic@NTELOS.NET>
Subject:      Coolant leak update
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Well, thanks to the many suggestions that I received on the list I started
the 85 Westy up on Saturday and started looking for a leak.  I immediately
found a new hose that was wet and was dripping coolant directly over where
the wet spot was on the ground.  I tightened the clamp and the drip from the
hose stopped immediately.  I topped up with coolant and decided to go ahead
and run my errands.  By the second stop, which was at Autozone, I there was
no longer coolant on the ground.  I still borrowed their pressure tester,
which I planned on using on Sunday.  On Sunday when I got up it still wasn't
leaking at all and it was cold so I did not pressure test the system and
assumed I had gotten lucky.  It did not leak Saturday or Sunday.  Then I
woke up this A.M. to find a small green puddle in a different location.
This one is to the left of the engine way towards the back.  It is directly
under the left edge of the belt that goes all the way to the left and about
6 inches down from it.  I was in dress clothes so I couldn't look under the
vanagon to get a better look.  I drove the 7 minutes to work and now that I
am here the leak has stopped.  Obviously, my next step is to pressure check
the system, but why would it be fine for two days and then crop up.  Could
it be the really cold weather we're having?  Is there a hose in that area?
I couldn't see one.  Thanks for your help.



Mike