Date: Wed, 6 Jan 2010 10:38:32 -0500
Reply-To: Mark A Kippert <vanagon@KIPPERT.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Mark A Kippert <vanagon@KIPPERT.COM>
Subject: Re: Leak, leak go away!!
In-Reply-To: <4B44929C.3060901@comcast.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes
I bought my '86 GL in October '08. During the first real cold snap we
had in Indy I discovered a small puddle, from a slow drip, under the
passenger side head. It got worse (a steady trickle). I was really
bummed cause it kept me from attending the Buses by the Beach, Bus
Brrrr.
I put a bottle of the Bars head gasket stop leak in (I chose that
because it didn't require flushing the coolant system like the
others). This cleared up the leak. It cooled just fine through the
summer and puts out hot heat in cold weather.
I did notice a slight wet spot (about 6-8" dia.) one morning when the
temp got down to zero this past weekend so I can only assume the
extreme cold caused the metal to shrink just enough to let some
coolant out. When it warmed up there was no leak. None again since.
At some point I will be replacing the engine with a rebuilt so this
has been a good solution to keep my van on the road. For now my honey-
do list is too long to allow me to do an engine swap any time soon.
BTW, another solution (besides those already mentioned) offered on the
list has been the Subaru stop leak.
Mark K
1986 GL/2WD/4SPD
On Jan 6, 2010, at 8:39 AM, Ken Wilford wrote:
> Chris, if you are having a slight leak at the head gasket cold will
> make
> it worse. I would suggest using a stop leak like either bar's leak or
> aluma seal which you can easily get from your local autoparts store.
> This should seal the leak and help it not to get worse. If this
> doesn't
> help then you might need to replace the head gaskets but usually this
> will stop it for six months to a year. My 90 had bar's leak poured in
> the tank every year since it was new by the PO. The head gaskets were
> NEVER replaced and the engine had 300k miles on it and still going
> when
> I replaced it as part of my preventive maintenance program. I still
> have the original front and rear heater cores and radiator. They are
> all functioning perfectly well. Now we will hear from the people who
> will swear up and down that bar's leak will clog up your radiator. If
> it does your radiator was dying anyway. That has been my experience.
> Mine is still doing fine at almost 320k with the yearly bar's leak
> treatment.
>
> Ken Wilford
> John 3:16
> www.vanagain.com
>
>
> C. Chris Snyder wrote:
>> This morning after it hit -7 here, I noticed that anti freeze was
>> dripping from the middle of the bottom of the engine. It lok like
>> it is driping from 2 places.
>>
>> I am thinking it is the dreaded head gasket. I sure hope not. It
>> was to cold to really check it out but, I did look at all the hoses
>> and I am pretty sure it's not them.
>>
>> an ideas and, is it possible that since it never has leaked before
>> this cold weather that when it warms up (If it ever does) that it
>> will stop on it's own?
>>
>> thank list for all your wisdom!
>>
>> Chris
>>
>>
