Date:         Sun, 30 Dec 2012 14:17:50 -0500
Reply-To:     Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Dennis Haynes <d23haynes57@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: drips of antifreeze off head
Comments: To: marc rose <mrose1028@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CAO5Ru2ME4szSazLgF5SRNHuWujXvjj=cGYc-PJuQ+5GExhMBcw@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

What you really want to do is inspect the gaskets looking for any sign of
bulging or separation. If the gaskets seem sold then some of the stop leak
options will work. You need to be aware that if the radiator or heater cores
are beginning to plug up the stop leak will finish the job.

If the gaskets are separating you need to consider that one day they can
completely fail dumping the coolant and adding a tow home. The separation is
usually caused by corrosion between the head and gasket placing pressure on
the gasket causing it to rip and tear. This is an indication that the gasket
has really failed some time ago as there should not be coolant behind it to
cause that corrosion.

Dennis

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
marc rose
Sent: Saturday, December 29, 2012 5:52 PM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: drips of antifreeze off head

90 carat 2.1 aka "ROSIE".  I have just finished installing some new bumpers
I fabricated, changed the oil and changed the gasket on the oil cooler
aswell as the hoses that go to it.  I was looking under her three days ago
and saw a drip of anti freeze hanging of the front side of the left head
where the sheild bolts on and figured it was some left over from doing the
hoses.  I wiped it off and drove her around some and she ran as normal.  I
looked again today and there was that drip again.....nothing puddled on the
shop floor though.  The tanks look to have the correct level I was just
looking for advice as far as how much should I drive it if it is a head
gasket?  I do plan on doing some sort of ugrade on her motor in the future
just don't want to do it right now...

thanks