Date:         Mon, 14 Sep 1998 21:56:43 -0700
Reply-To:     Stephen Overmyer <s.overmyer@UWS.EDU.AU>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Stephen Overmyer <s.overmyer@UWS.EDU.AU>
Subject:      Joining the Wasserleaker Club.
Comments: To: vanagon@vanagon.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Hi Guys,

Well after 6.5 years and 134,000klm of trouble free motoring
my '92 Wasserboxer has become a wasserleaker too.
Happened suddenly last weekend after a short drive,coolant
dripping from around the right hand side cylinder head when the
cooling system was under pressure. Stopped as the van cooled
down in the garage,but when hot,the van is losing coolant at
a rate far beyond what I would risk on a longish drive to
my favourite Waterboxer mechanics.Looks like a flat bed truck
ride for me and the van.

From underneath the van I was unable to tell exactly where the
source of the leak was,just seemed to be dripping from just
behind the tappet cover (both front and back)
When I looked at the motor from above I found that the leak
appeared to be coming from somewhere on top of the cylinder
head near or possibly under the two black plastic pipes that
cross over the motor.Hard to tell as there is a lot of plumbing
in the way there.
No leaks at all on the lefthand side.

Whilst a check of the archives has many references to leaky
head gaskets and the like,I couldn't find any posts describing
my situation with respect to other possible causes in the same
area as I'm not yet sure it is the head gasket for certain.
(of course I may have just not found them...)

Anyway,anyone out there think they may have had a similar
experience? Any suggestions or educated guesses welcome!
Given that it has happed so quickly I am wondering if there
is a coolant hose that I can quite get a good look at in there
that is the culprit.

For the record I am the original owner of this van,religiously
serviced and maintained,coolant changed 4 times in a little
over 6 years,run always on premium unleaded and never been
over-heated,even at the height of Australian summers.

Any help or sympathy appreciated!

Cheers,

Steve O.
Blue Mountains,NSW Aus.
'92 Transporter WBX
'76 Crew Cab
'68 Beetle Deluxe