Check coolant lines for leaking. If the heads are leaking you will not have to wonder about it you will know. If all coolant lines are OK (especially check the two on the back side of the head on the passenger side) and you still see puddles then if you are like most Vanagon owners on this list you can throw all kinds of money at the problem and then have it happen again in the not too distant future. $3000 for the installation of a new motor, $1500 for new heads on both sides and gaskets, even if both heads are only a little pitted and you do all the work yourself you are looking at $130 for the head gasket kit for both sides and $70 to get your heads pressure tested at a good shop (you don't want this to happen again in another 20k miles do you?). And what happens if you do all this work, can I guarantee that your motor will never have this problem again or that it will not have this problem for a long time to come? No. I have heard of guys with 10k on the brand new motor and have the head gaskets go. What is the solution? Ever thought of putting in a Chevy V6? More power, more reliability, and you could buy the kit and a rebuilt engine and have it installed for under $2000 and never have to realistically worry about the head gasket problem again. Thats the only cure. I hope I helped ya. Ken Wilford John 3:16 P.S. My heads just went this week so I can sympathize. |
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