Date:         Mon, 5 Feb 1996 07:35:37 +0000
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         tjparker@pacificnet.net (Tim Parker)
Subject:      Re: head gaskets and time bombs

At 8:20 AM 2/5/96, H2obxr@aol.com wrote:

> As far as the repair shop telling you to let the gaskets go until they blow,
> the risk you run is that you heads themselves will become so pitted over time
> that they, too, will need replacement, which will add BIG BUCKS to the repair
> bill.  Also, you won't be able to predict where you are when they blow, and
> you could dump all of your coolant in a big hurry, which would leave you with
> a BIG tow bill (if you don't burn up your engine before you can pull over).
>  I think you'd be better off getting the head gaskets replaced as soon as
> possible, then keep your coolant changed at regular intervals, and save up
> for your next head gasket replacement in another 70-120K miles.

I would agree with fixing rather than waiting for the gaskets to blow.
Granted, not all engines are the same, but we had a 63 Buick with a V-6
(cast iron, not alluminum) that, when it blew a head gasket, the increased
pressure of coolant leaking into one of the cylinders while it was running
at freeway speed literally pounded a hole through a piston.  Even if that
didn't happen in the Vanagon, I'd be worried about the hammering of the Rod
bearing by this increase in pressure (if the leak is INTO the cylinder,
that is).

-Tim Parker
93 EV GL
60 Singlecab
29 Model A Ford