Date:         Wed, 6 Aug 2008 15:58:29 -0700
Reply-To:     Evan Mac Donald <vanagon_dad@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Evan Mac Donald <vanagon_dad@SBCGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: Leaky valve cover tip of iceberg
In-Reply-To:  <080620082152.5096.489A1D26000CCF1D000013E82215551724CE0103040A050C@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

It could be there is a seep from the head gaskets, that just happens to find the same low point to drip from. Gravity gets to everything equally, after all, and the edge of the valve cover is a low point for alot of places...

Cecil Eastman <ckelmo1@COMCAST.NET> wrote:  Round 3.

I'm not sure that it's not coolant that's coming out of the head cover, but on the other hand I don't seem to be losing any coolant when I look at either tank. I double-checked the oil dipstick and it's all oil; no water at all. So maybe the watery substance at the head cover is just condensation as has been suggested? That, my friends, would be totally awesome.

Cecil

-------------- Original message --------------
From: Ken Wilford

> Are you sure it is coolant? Do you see any nasty chocolate milk looking
> stuff on your dip stick? Many times you can get condensation in the
> valve cover area so that you may have just a little emulsion right at
> the valve cover but it is not necessarily coolant mixing with the oil.
> If you do have coolant mixing with oil then please do not run the motor
> any more until you get it fixed. It will only hurt the engine more.
> Let me know if I can be of service.
>
> Ken Wilford
> John 3:16
> www.vanagain.com
>
>
> Cecil Eastman wrote:
> > This is from that Pampers-wearin' 85 Westy again.
> >
> > Good news: I seem to have fixed the annoying drip of ATF from the tranny by
> adding some thickener to the fluid.
> >
> > Bad news: The power steering lines are still leaking like a sieve, regardless
> of the viscosity of the fluid. I'm thinking I'll have to try Ken's replacement
> hydraulic lines for the rusty metal ones.
> >
> > Worse news: The oil leak at the valve head still leaks after replacing the
> gaskets, at least on the driver's side. I did notice a small hole rusted
> through the valve head right at the gasket, so that may be the culprit, but that
> ain't all. Turns out that the leaking fluid is a mixture of oil and coolant.
> So am I looking at a cylinder head job here, or hopefully just some seals? I
> don't know what other criteria I should be checking to see if the heads
> themselves are bad.
> >
> > All guidance is gratefully appreciated.
> >
> > Cecil
> > '85 Westy
> >
> >