Date: Fri, 7 Apr 2023 10:03:54 -0700
Reply-To: Bruce Todd <beeceetee@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Bruce Todd <beeceetee@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: When & why replace heads?
In-Reply-To: <CAHtOfz9PdoRqHzSVsVRxVKomPdHTqSQ8NmPryrYvh9MCwotN_w@mail.gmail.com>
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I would say it depends on the type of trips you plan. Short trips around
town where you can keep an eye on levels is probably ok for the short
term. Planning a longer trip then I think you are rolling the dice.
My experience for when heads go south due to leaking is when coolant and
exhaust gases start mixing together and you start to see a frothing and
discolouration of coolant in your main coolant tank - it will also show up
in the reserve tank just by the function of cooling system. Air will enter
the cooling pipe work and force out coolant when the engine warms and you
will have little control over keeping the motor from reaching temperatures
that will cause internal failure. Your range for driving will diminish and
any additional heat has the potential of damaging otherwise good engine
components.
I have a sheared cylinder head stud that decided to let go one day driving
up a local hill. The likely reason for the failure had to do with
excessive heat and a little corrosion overtime - there was some minor
pitting in the area where it sheared. The heads required work as they
began slowly leaking despite being done within a 5 year period without high
mileage. I think the stud was damaged from the previous head issue - or
whatever the previous owners may have done. I have to say before this van,
I was an air cooled bus driver and slowly learned about the cooling system
(still learning) thanks to the great tips and posts on this list and about
how important it is to not overheat the water cooled engine.
Anyway - it is never too early to replace a leaking head in my opinion as
things are not getting better - only worse and the risk of engine damage
and roadside trouble increases.
Bruce
On Friday, April 7, 2023, Spencer Allen <soxndubs1951@gmail.com> wrote:
> I had my 85 stock westy inspected and some brake work done and the mechanic
> says I should replace the leaking heads. I may have jumped the gun and
> ordered the GW super duper ($$$) reworked AMC heads. The thing is my OE
> heads have been leaking for the last 20 years and 60K I've owned it. The
> major leaking occurs during the winters while it's stored in my garage so
> when spring comes I have to top up the fill tank with about a qt of
> coolant. Summer it does drip but nothing major. Engine runs fine with no
> white exhaust smoke. My question is what are the main reasons for replacing
> heads and how do you know when you've reached that point?
> Spencer
>
