Date:         Fri, 28 Mar 2008 21:30:18 -0800
Reply-To:     Kim Springer <kimspringer@RCN.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Kim Springer <kimspringer@RCN.COM>
Subject:      Re: 1985 Vanagon - unique head leak - not at gasket - 1 inch to
              the left at #2 top bolt?
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"

I was the one that posted a few weeks back that had the same issue. Since
then Ihave not been able to determine if that is where the leak is.

I saw coolant near the cap nut, but haven't seen it since. I do smell it,
but I'm not losing much if any now.

Not sure what to make of it, but I am betting on a cracked head rather than
a poor sealant job at the stud.

Benny said it might reseal itself becasue he has seen this before. Maybe
that's what I am seeing.

Kim
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mike Collum" <collum@VERIZON.NET>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, March 28, 2008 7:34 PM
Subject: Re: 1985 Vanagon - unique head leak - not at gasket - 1 inch to the
left at #2 top bolt?


> When my '84 7 passenger was given to me in '91, the head studs had
> corroded badly and at least two had stretched.  I could actually wiggle
> one of the capnuts and, of course, it leaked.  The PO had overheated
> that engine and destroyed it but I tore it down for analysis after I
> replaced it.
>
> Stretched studs are a possibility as is a crack in the head at that
> point.  You won't know for sure until you disassemble, unfortunately.
>
> Mike
>
>
>
> AAG - Larry Word wrote:
> > My daily driver Vanagon has many miles on it.....
> >
> > Today, in a mid-200 mile work trip, I sprung a leak - left (driver's)
side head.
> > It appears to be leaking from bolt #2 (counting from forwardmost bolt
back to rear of engine 1-4)
> >
> > What would be occuring these heads were used and install probably 60K
miles ago w/o any troubles since.....
> >
> > Larry
> > Ga.
> >
> > What I'm asking is could the leak just be the bolt sealant or is my head
likely cracked?
> >
>