Date:         Sun, 7 Dec 1997 16:48:32 -0000
Reply-To:     Tony Smith <wordsmith@WRITEME.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon mailing list <Vanagon@Gerry.SDSC.EDU>
From:         Tony Smith <wordsmith@WRITEME.COM>
Subject:      Cylinder Heads - Again
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1

Okay,

I know that this subject has been bashed around a lot, I have read a
bazillion back-posts, but I need to know...

I was losing coolant so I took my '87 Westy to the dealer who said;

1. I needed a new head gasket.
2. My used vehicle warranty would not cover repairs due to a failed gasket
(Shoulda read the fine print).
3. A cheap fix would be to add sealant (Alumaseal) to the coolant.

So, I said okay, add the sealant. They did... it seems to have worked. The
antifreeze level stays put. I changed the oil and filter also (Something I
do with all my vehicles every 1,000 mile - cheap insurance).

A local independent VW mechanic will get all the repair work from now on. I
told him my story saying I am not comfortable with the sealant job and want
the heads done this spring. He says that he would never replace only the
heads in a case such as this. His experience is a high in come-backs as the
leaks have always done something to the engine and the something will croak
the engine soon after.

Only real fix, he says, is to change the entire engine ($5,000 CDN). Wow!

Two questions:

1. Is the Alumaseal a good fix?
2. Is the engine change vs. only heads a common and reasonable practice?

Engine conversion looks like a better idea so...

Anyone know who does engine conversions in south-west British Columbia?


Tony Smith
'87 Westy - Heidi
wordsmith@writeme.com
web site www3.bc.sympatico.ca/wordsmith