Date:         Mon, 1 Mar 1999 22:46:10 -0800
Reply-To:     John Scheckel <jscheckel@NUTLEY.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         John Scheckel <jscheckel@NUTLEY.COM>
Organization: John Scheckel Architect
Subject:      Re: driping thermostat on an 85 Westie
Comments: To: Stephen Davis <sdavis@MAINE.MAINE.EDU>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Stephen Davis wrote:
>
> Hey Volks,
>     The thermostat housing is dripping slightly on my 85, have any of
> you had problems with that?  It looks like it is a hard place to reach
> and I was also wondering if anybody had any hints on how to get it out.
> Also, is there anyway to work on it without draining the whole coolant
> system, and do you think it is just the gasket or could it be more?  I
> can not see any cracks in the castings but...   The van has about
> 100,000 miles on it.
>
> Thanks in Advance,
>
> Stephen Davis
> Wilton, Me
> 85 Westie
Sounds like the rubber o-rings may have gotten tired.  They are
relativlely simple and inexpensive to replace.  You probably don't have
to drain the entire system but do be prepared to loose some coolant when
you remove the housing, two bolts fasten it to the block.  If memory
serves (it can't be guaranteed) there are two o-rings one at the housing
to block surface and one at the housing to sensor surface.  Also check
your houses.  At 100K they are bound to be tired and may be leaking.

God Luck John S.