In a message dated 98-07-15 14:58:02 EDT, jeff@ELECTROPONICS.COM writes: << First off, I'm an idiot. I bought an overpriced (way) 85 Westy from a local dealer two months ago. She had 112,000 and is/was in excellent shape bodywise/interior. Well, the coolant light is now flashing for about 5 minutes till it heats up I guess, and then it is fine. I can smell coolant in the heater, too. I'm also getting some bad lifter? noise right after a highway run of about 10 miles. Then it slowly goes away. Is it the heads? If so, does anyone have a good solution or how to at least keep it where it's at for right now? I'm in St. Louis, and could use a good mechanic for her, too. We bought Brownie for a family trip next month, and I just assumed for that price, that she would be at least in decent mechanical shape. I'm afraid to go back to the dealer because I might strangle the salesman. Any help/advice would be appreciated. When I do go back, I want to be prepared. JW >> Have the dealer replace the temp gauge ( they all go bad ), and replace the lifters on that side of the motor, where it's noisey. The lifters are a simple and quick job. You'll need a valve cover gasket, four lifters and four collapsible pushrod tubes with the eight seals. I hope the dealer has a vanagon tech/engineer. Lets us know what happens. Michael Modl, 87 syncro. |
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