Date:         Sun, 27 Sep 2009 17:51:08 EDT
Reply-To:     Mtbdavid2@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Cohen <Mtbdavid2@AOL.COM>
Subject:      advice on tranny rebuild and water leak on 1990 Vanagon GL
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

Hi all,
  I recently purchased a 1990 Vanagon GL from San Diego via  Craigslist.
The van had a slow water leak since I purchased it but wasn't  sure where it
was coming from until I filled the overflow tank and opened the  coolant
tank top, all the coolant in the entire van poured through the middle  bottom
of the passenger side head.  Front the research I have done it  appears the
water jacket seal has failed.  Supposedly the engine has been  rebuilt but
has no paperwork to prove this.

I am looking for advice on what should be replaced once the head is pulled
off.   Also, the third gear syncro appears to be going.  After  the tranny
fluid heats up its grinds in and out of third gear.  It doesn't  grind when
the van is cold.

Bye the way, I live in northern California, SF bay area and am looking for
a recommendation for a place to have the tranny rebuilt or exchanged.

I am also looking to purchase new exhaust and muffler for this van as the
current setup is completely rusted.

Thanks,
David