Date:         Mon, 11 May 2009 23:26:17 -0230
Reply-To:     Joy Hecht <jhecht@ALUM.MIT.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Joy Hecht <jhecht@ALUM.MIT.EDU>
Subject:      Re: How long do I have?
In-Reply-To:  <b45a982b0905111132q70ea32e6g141c55c0647f4b2a@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Coolant leaks can come from LOTS of places besides the head gaskets, and
from plenty of things that could cause trouble much faster.  If you've got a
leaky hose, it could blow when it heats up and the pressure rises - by which
time you may have around two seconds to shut off the engine before it blows
too.

Ask me how I know this, if you are curious.

I would very carefully, watching your coolant level and lights like a hawk,
drive to the mechanic and get it sorted out.  Do not assume it is a very
slow drip that has months to become serious.



Joy



On Mon, May 11, 2009 at 4:02 PM, Aristotle Sagan
<killer.jupiter@gmail.com>wrote:

> Tomorrow?
>
> Don't have a heart attack. Don't freak out. You got a problem, a not
> very nice one in the long run. But.. Don't be afraid of your van.
>
> Keep the situation monitored, keep a gallon of antifreeze stored
> someplace safe, keep the reserve tank topped to line and keep driving.
>
> You are a week, month, or year into this issue and it will take awhile
> for it to get out of hand. It could be something as easy as a leaking
> seal on your water pump. They start to drip when they are about to go
> bad. Get it looked at, get it fixed (if it's that), or plan on how you
> are going to resolve the head gasket leaking issue in future (near or
> far).
>
> tim in san jose
>
> On Mon, May 11, 2009 at 10:24 AM, John Rodgers <inua@charter.net> wrote:
> > Patti,
> >
> > That "something blue" is most likely coolant - official VW coolant - as
> > it is the only fluid in a Vanagon that ever is blue to my knowledge.
> >
> > Just keep track of your coolant level and don't let it get too low and
> > you will probably be OK until tommorow.
> >
> > That
> >
> > PB wrote:
> >>
> >> I know that all Vanagon leaks must be attended to ASAP, but I'm
> wondering
> >> if
> >> there's a little "leeway."  I last had my van serviced in August, 2008,
> >> and
> >> have only put less than 3000 miles since then.  Lately I've been using
> it
> >> daily, for 30 mile round trips.  On Friday I discovered a leak in the
> >> rear;
> >> something blue; about a 2" spot from 8am to 4:30 pm, and when parked
> >> overnight, about a 3" spot.  Of course it took a few days for me to
> figure
> >> out that it was MY leak spot, and not one that was already in the
> parking
> >> space.
> >>
> >> How much time/miles does one reasonably have before taking it into the
> >> shop?  I was planning to take it in tomorrow morning.
> >> Thanks.
> >> Patti
> >> 90 Westy Automatic
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >
>
>
>
> --
> Where ever you are, there you be. Unless you're driving my van, in
> which case, you ain't got there yet.
>