Date: Tue, 11 Apr 2023 14:42:10 -0700
Reply-To: Dan N <dn92610@GMAIL.COM>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dan N <dn92610@GMAIL.COM>
Subject: Re: When & why replace heads?
In-Reply-To: <CACvdLxORPnkFM08L1kB=_8v3Fy6Zfm3HejCRwWekqRph1f1dOw@mail.gmail.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="UTF-8"
I agree with that... A piece of rubber (head gasket) has a number of
contraction/swelling cycles... After a number of miles and heat, no more
cycle, the gaskets won't swell anymore, they become hard rubber. No product
can get them swell anymore to seal the leaks. The solution is to replace
the head gaskets.
On Tue, Apr 11, 2023 at 1:04 PM David McNeely <davmcneely40@gmail.com>
wrote:
> The reviews on Amazon on the Subaru stop leak product are all over the
> place, including some that claim the stuff ruins thermostats and other
> cooling system components. Also, they point out that it was intended by
> Subaru for a specific anti-freeze type. I am dubious about the latter
> concern, though it might be realistic. The reason for my doubt is that
> Subaru actually did not create the product. It was a preexisting product
> by a UK auto chemicals products company that Subaru then cobranded when it
> started having problems with the heads on its engines.
>
> The most significant concern to me would be that it is supposed to be added
> directly to the radiator when warmed up, to prevent it inducing clogs. But
> we can't add it to the radiator, since our radiators have no cap. The
> equivalent cap is on a reservoir, and I don't know how the circulation
> through that reservoir would work with this stuff in it. I definitely
> would not add it to the overflow reservoir.
>
> mcneely
>
> On Tue, Apr 11, 2023 at 12:46 PM Spencer Allen <soxndubs1951@gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> > Thanks Dan Yep that Subie stuff works. Puts some in a couple of seasons
> ago
> > and it did stop the minor leaking. It seems to wear off (out?) after a
> > while. I'm told, right or wrong, that it's not really a sealer but more
> of
> > a gasket conditioner/ sweller. I haven't driven the Westy except around
> the
> > block so far this year but there were NO leaks before or after the drive.
> > Gonna stretch her legs this weekend and then check for leaks.
> >
> > On Tue, Apr 11, 2023 at 1:18 PM Dan N <dn92610@gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > > hi Spencer,
> > > Do you have the new heads on yet? If not I'd like to suggest this ..
> it's
> > > not a cure or a repair but an experiment.
> > > Get 2 bottles of Subaru coolant conditioner, pour it in the expansion
> > vase
> > > (remove some coolant first). Drive around for a couple days waiting
> for a
> > > mechanic or shop.
> > > Then later report back to see if the Subaru conditioner works or not.
> > >
> >
> https://www.amazon.com/Subaru-OEM-Coolant-System-Conditioner/dp/B00WFI0W2Q
> > >
> > > On Tue, Apr 11, 2023 at 7:23 AM Spencer Allen <soxndubs1951@gmail.com>
> > > wrote:
> > >
> > >> Thanks to Eric, Dennis and all who gave great feedback on my leaking
> > >> heads.
> > >> I see everyone's opinion is that the heads should be replaced soon if
> > not
> > >> immediately. Small back story; I bought a new tin top in 1985 and it
> had
> > >> leaking heads almost right out of the gate and VW never really
> admitted
> > >> there was a problem and did bandaid "repairs"but some of the older
> > listers
> > >> here might remember the "secret" warranty repair that VW authorized
> > >> dealers
> > >> to perform . Anyway I didn't know to pursue this so I lived with the
> > >> leaking heads for the 8 years I drove it. The end of ownership came
> > after
> > >> replacing 3 water pumps in a row and then the long coolant pipes
> rusting
> > >> through and letting go on a winter's day. So my current 85 Westy I
> > >> purchased in 1999 with 62K on her has always had the small leaks too
> > again
> > >> mostly while sitting graged during winter. Now at 104K on this
> original
> > >> engine I guess, from reading all the replies to my post, i've been
> > leading
> > >> a charmed life these past 20 years in not having serious damage done
> to
> > >> the
> > >> engine. A while back when a non VW mechanic did a small repair I
> > >> mentioned
> > >> the leak and he poured in a bottle of Subaru miracle stop-leak
> additive
> > >> and
> > >> that stopped the leak for a couple of seasons. Being an old guy that
> has
> > >> accepted the leaking heads as a way of life with Vanagons, I was
> > reluctant
> > >> but went ahead and bought the GW heads this winter. Now I have to
> find a
> > >> competent mechanic in the Chicago area to put them on and get the
> tuning
> > >> and coolant bleeding correct and hoping the cure isn't worse than the
> > >> illness. If anyone has a suggested shop for this work anywhere in the
> > >> Midwest please send it along. Thanks again to everyone who replied
> and I
> > >> will report on the "post-op" when completed.
> > >> Spencer
> > >>
> > >> On Mon, Apr 10, 2023 at 9:33 PM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net>
> > >> wrote:
> > >>
> > >> > Hi Spencer,
> > >> >
> > >> > Have you come up with a plan?
> > >> >
> > >> > Eric Caron
> > >> >
> > >> >
> > >> > > On Apr 7, 2023, at 8:14 PM, Jeff Palmer <w.jeff.palmer@ICLOUD.COM
> >
> > >> > wrote:
> > >> > >
> > >> > > Agree! The problem won’t fix itself :)
> > >> > > Jeff
> > >> > >
> > >> > > Sent from my iPhone
> > >> > >
> > >> > >> On Apr 7, 2023, at 5:00 PM, David McNeely <
> davmcneely40@gmail.com>
> > >> > wrote:
> > >> > >>
> > >> > >> Very ignorant here, but my feeling is leaking heads mean it's
> time
> > >> to
> > >> > do
> > >> > >> the job. Do you want the engine to blow up when moving at high
> > speed
> > >> > (or
> > >> > >> any time for that matter)?
> > >> > >>
> > >> > >>> On Fri, Apr 7, 2023 at 6:45 AM 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
> > >> > >>>
> > >> >
> > >>
> > >
> >
>
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