Date:         Tue, 31 Mar 1998 10:21:26 -0800
Reply-To:     Old Volks Home <jim@OLDVOLKSHOME.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Old Volks Home <jim@OLDVOLKSHOME.COM>
Subject:      Re: Head gasket
Comments: To: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
In-Reply-To:  <000039EC.CW21041@presray.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

At 09:40 AM 3/31/98 -0500, Don Gibbons wrote:
>Can those of us who care redo the survey on the head gaskets again?
>Please answer the following questions:
>
>1. When have the heads/gaskets caused problems?
>2. How is your vanagon driven? A) daily driver     B) Weekends   C)
Seasonally
>stored
>3. Was VW coolant used?
************************************

In purchasing my 84 Westfalia, I was fortunate to have received ALL of the
paperwork in regards to repairs and maintenance from the original (who also
kept a log), second and third owner.

Auto Trans was replaced in October 1987 at approximately 55k miles by the
original owner.

At almost 81k miles, the third owner (who apparently didn't have it long)
threw a rod and piston #2 (as well as the case) was reduced to rubble.  I
asked him about possible head leakage and he claimed there was none.
Inspected 1.9 Heads, there was the typical pitting.  When draining the
coolant, it was green, third owner confirmed he had used regular Prestone,
admitted he didn't know any better.

At the GGC Kelley Park Show last year, I was able to find a 2.1 core (sans
heads) for $75, got a pair of 2.1 heads from AVP and rebuilt it.  Installed
May 1997, I have put about 22k miles on it since without a problem, except
for a Hall Unit and/or Ignition Module failing.  All miles are
freeway/highway miles going from show to show packed with display cases and
parts.

Answers to the questions:

1.  Never
2.  Weekends (average 1100 miles per trip)
3.  No.  I use Prestone 5/100 Phosphate Free