Date:         Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:56:19 -0600
Reply-To:     Tom Buese <tombuese@COMCAST.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Tom Buese <tombuese@COMCAST.NET>
Subject:      Re: bad news from mechanic
Comments: To: Mia Miller <miamiller@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <AANLkTinNYLVQ=1fJ111VFH5iiLj=6=NTpZNsTL=_GJhU@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII; format=flowed; delsp=yes

Cheapest solution?  Bars Leak-about $3-  Add a container to your
coolant per the directions & see if the leaks stop.  Then start saving
for repairing/replacing you heads or more?

YMMV,

Mr. BZ-carry a can for just in case


On Jul 30, 2010, at 1:26 PM, Mia Miller wrote:

> I am looking for some wisdom from those more experienced with our
> beloved
> vans.  I took my 84 Westy to the shop for a coolant leak.  It was not
> overheating on the gauge or light, but the reservoir tank was always
> empty
> after running short trips over a couple of days.  The bad news:  the
> shop
> said that two head gaskets are leaking (at least externally) and the
> expansion tank has a leak (not significantly?).  Obviously I got
> expensive
> estimates to repair the leaks, replace the engine with a used one,
> or buy a
> rebuilt one.  I have used the garage before and trust them as they
> came
> recommended to me.  However, I am looking for the cheapest way to
> keep her
> on the road.  I also don't have the knowledge to understand the
> mechanical
> problems myself.  The van has 121,000 miles.  Otherwise the van runs
> great.
> I recently drove it from Pennsylvania to Indiana (home) and apart from
> fussing about starting when warm, she purred right along.  It was in
> PA for
> several months as my brother repaired some rust, small dents, and
> repainted
> it for me.  She looks amazing...now I must figure out how to keep it
> running.
>
> Any wisdom about how I should proceed or ramifications of adding
> coolant and
> running for a while?
>
> Thanks!  I appreciate this list and all that it has taught me in the
> two
> plus years of owning Maxine.
>
> Mia