Date:         Wed, 21 Sep 2011 13:37:28 -0500
Reply-To:     John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Rodgers <inua@CHARTER.NET>
Subject:      Re: 85-H20 loss of coolant mystery
Comments: To: Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CAFnDXk1Y2Gm4_Q4da3bfcemtJz65fZFkqzPkwYp-jwVx_0abxQ@mail.gmail.com>
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On 9/21/2011 12:37 PM, Jim Felder wrote:
> If you have water on the driveway under the heads, you have a leaking outer
> gasket.

Jim,

As the 'Lil Boy Sez "It ain't necessarily so!"

On my Red 88GL - I began loosing coolant from the overflow tank. I kept
adding coolant and kept driving until I check it out. I figured prol'ly
head gaskets. I never saw water dripping in the driveway, but I just
knew there was a leak somewhere. One day I slid up underneath to take a
look, and low and behold, water running along the edge of the head. Not
enough to drip, but that edge was very wet. I figured Oh, No! - head
gasket time is here. Well I drove it a while longer. Then one day, for
whatever reason, I inquired of the List what action to take, complaining
about my leaky heads,
Someone  - I can't remember who and I apologize - responded saying it
may not be the heads leaking - but to check the thermostat and Temp II
housing. I had it put up on a rack this time, to give it a really good
look-see...... and there is was - a crack in the housing where it fits
to the head - the bolt boss was cracked. I replaced the housing and had
no more apparent head leakage, nor any loss of coolant from the system.

Apparently, when moving, the water from the leak was migrating backward
so as to show up along the edge of the head on the left side of the
vehicle.  Looked for all the world like a head gasket leak.

Before I would tear into the engine to do a head gasket seal job, I
would give that thermostat housing a thorough going over for cracks.
Housings are readily available from out list vendors. If there is/are no
cracks or leaks, I would try using the Suburu leak stop compound.

Good luck.

John

John Rodgers
Clayartist and Moldmaker
88'GL VW Bus Driver
Chelsea, AL
Http://www.moldhaus.com