Date:         Mon, 31 May 1999 09:46:29 PDT
Reply-To:     Mark McCulley <transporter99@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Mark McCulley <transporter99@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      living with cracked heads
Content-type: text/plain; format=flowed;

Well it turns out I didn't actually have a leaking head nut--there's a small
crack in the head just under the head nut that is weeping coolant. After
driving, I can see a telltale blue line where the crack is but if I wipe it
clean I can't see the crack at all.

So I'm wondering if I can continue to nurse this along for a while until I
decide whether to get new heads, get a new engine, or do a 5-cyl conversion.
Am I risking a catastrophic failure here? I have had a similar crack in the
opposite head that I've been living with for the past two years. Neither
crack leaks enough coolant to even cause a drip, it all pretty much
evaporates before dripping. I might have to add a few ounces of coolant
every few months, that's it.

I'd appreciate any informed opinions here. I've got a 3000 mile trip coming
up in three weeks and I sure don't want to have to do any major work before
departing.

MM


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