Date:         Mon, 26 Apr 1999 20:16:39 -0400
Reply-To:     Scarlett Semko <damosem@MAIL.MCO.BELLSOUTH.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Scarlett Semko <damosem@MAIL.MCO.BELLSOUTH.NET>
Organization: Pre-installed Company
Subject:      Re: New To List
Comments: To: Ben Wampler <ben@ERUPT.COM>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii

Ben,

Welcome to the wonderful world of Vanagon's.

I personally have not had the "pleasure" of doing the heads, but there is a
wealth of information here, and I am sure that you will be bombarded with VERY
USEFUL advice, help, and anything else including great people. Again welcome.

Ron Semko
Former Skyraider Driver, Presently Bus Pilot
Orlando, Florida
1984 Vanagon with 200,000 plus miles
1978 300D with 300,000 plus miles


Ben Wampler wrote:

> Hello,
>
> I'm just dropping in to let you all know I'm a newcomer to this list.
>
> Today I received the title for my '85 Vanagon. It's blue, and in very good
> shape with air conditioning and the works. I was impressed.
>
> Anyway, the head gasket is blown, leaks antifreeze REAL bad (not driveable).
> I understand this is a real common problem on watercooled Vanagons.
>
> >From what the P.O. tells me, the heads themselves are okay, it's just the
> gaskets. What should I expect to pay a local mechanic to make such a repair?
> Where can I buy the parts and at what cost? I have some mechanical knowledge
> (e.g. I can replace shocks, exhaust systems, fuel lines, replace
> distributors, fuel pumps, set timings, etc), how hard of a job would this be
> for me to do it myself?
>
> Look forward to hearing from yall!
>
> -Ben Wampler
> '74 Karmann Ghia Coupe
> '71 Type 3 Fastback
> '85 Vanagon