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Date:         Mon, 29 Sep 1997 15:50:36 CDT
Reply-To:     Joel Walker <JWALKER@UA1VM.UA.EDU>
Sender:       Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From:         Joel Walker <JWALKER@UA1VM.UA.EDU>
Subject:      Re: Leaking Heads - aargghh! - What to do?
Comments: To: Gordon C Smith <gordo@HAWAII.EDU>
In-Reply-To:  <Pine.GSO.3.95q.970929084541.23533B-100000@uhunix4>
Content-Type: TEXT/PLAIN; charset=US-ASCII

On Mon, 29 Sep 1997 08:47:37 -1000 you said: >I've got some coolant dripping from my right side head. (An '87, 120k mi.) >What should I do initially? And then what should I do after that?

first, look VERY VERY carefully right after you shut off the engine ... try to find out where the leak is. my bet is that it's not the heads, but that little flange on the backside of the engine, where that little hose goes go the bleeder-ring-tube (the tube that runs around the top of the engine compartment). the hose goes between the v-belt for the power steering (to get the belt off, you have to disconnect this hose). where the hose attaches to the engine is a flange ... the original one is plastic, and it eventually warps and starts leaking. my 88 did it at about 120K miles, too.

the replacement flange is metal, and uses a real gasket (instead of an o-ring). here's some info: -------------------------------------- Import Service, March '90 Vol3, No 3 Vanagon coolant leakage

"A damaged plastic coolant return flange located at the rear of the right cylinder head can cause coolant leakage on 86-88 models. The plastic flange is close to the engine's drive belts and can be damaged by a loose or broken belt. Engine overheating can also warp the sealing surface of the flange, causing coolant leakage and more overheating.

To correct (or avoid) these problems, replace the damaged plastic flange with a metal coolant return flange, P/N 025 121 160 D, and gasket P/N N 901 685 01."

From: "Dan Houg" <HOUGD@mdh-bemidji.health.state.mn.us> -------------------------

for what it's worth, i never could get the gasket from vw dealers, so i went to NAPA and got some multi-purpose, adhesive-on-one-side high-temp gasket material and cut it to shape (you'll have to cut holes for the coolant passage and for the two bolts). also make SURE you have a good hex-head allen wrench (one that isn't too badly rounded) ... you CAN remove the flange as-is, but it's MUCH easier to get to if you unbolt the power steering pump and lay it aside. watch out for the wires. good luck. joel


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